Patient-reported adverse events under asthma therapy: a community pharmacy-based survey

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2007 Aug;82(2):167-72. doi: 10.1038/sj.clpt.6100224. Epub 2007 May 9.

Abstract

The characteristics of patients who report adverse events (AEs) attributed to asthma therapy have been little investigated. Asthma patients aged 18-50 years were surveyed in pharmacies. Patients completed a questionnaire linked to computerized records of dispensed medications. Patients reported all AEs that they attributed to asthma therapy. The correlates of reporting 2+ AEs were identified. Almost 59% of the 1,351 patients (mean age: 37, 56% females) attributed AEs to asthma therapy, and 35% at least two. Most common AEs included tiredness (21.8%) and palpitations (21.1%). Poor asthma control and perception of asthma as a handicap were the major correlates of reporting 2+ AEs (odds ratio (OR)=2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI)=[1.7-3.7] and OR=1.9, 95% CI=[1.4-2.5]). Other significant correlates included age >30 years, female gender, and receiving psychotropic therapy. Inadequate control may partly account for AEs attributed by patients to asthma therapy. Improving patients' education may help to improve acceptability of asthma therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Community Pharmacy Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Fatigue / chemically induced
  • Female
  • France
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Self Disclosure
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists