Individual use of antiasthmatic drugs in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey

A previous analysis of drug utilization in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey found that only between 8 and 29% of subjects with asthma-related symptoms were using antiasthmatic medication in the different areas studied. The aim of this analysis was to investigate which variables were related to individual use of antiasthmatic medication in different geographical areas. Thirty-three centres in 14 countries were analysed, in which a total of 16,854 people (52.1% females, mean age 33.8 yrs, range 20-48) underwent a structured interview, measurement of specific immunoglobin E, spirometry and methacholine challenge test. The use of antiasthmatic drugs in individuals was, in most countries, independently related to asthma-related respiratory symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and atopy. In all countries smokers with respiratory symptoms were less likely to be using antiasthmatic drugs than nonsmokers and exsmokers. In four of 14 countries females were significantly more likely to use antiasthmatic medication than males, while age and socioeconomic status were unrelated to medication. The use of inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs was positively related to symptoms, BHR and atopy and negatively related to current smoking. In conclusion, in many countries smokers were less likely to be using antiasthmatic drugs than were nonsmokers with comparable levels of symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Age and socioeconomic status were unrelated to medication, while in some countries females were more likely than males to use antiasthmatic medication.