Abstract
Objectives
To determine preferences for asthma treatment given as inhaled therapy or as a tablet / syrup, to identify factors that influence this choice, and to assess how many patients would sacrifice greater efficacy of therapy in order to use the delivery route of their choice.
Design
Postal Questionnaire to patients with an active diagnosis of asthma aged less than 60 years under the care of general practitioners, paediatricians or adult respiratory physicians.
Main Outcome Measure
Patient preference for inhaled therapy or tablet/syrup.
Results
715 replies were analysed (93% Caucasian). 58% (417) preferred tablets (p<0.01) based on an equal chance of symptom improvement. There was no sex difference, but more children aged 6–10 and parents of under 6 year olds preferred tablets or syrup than adults (65% vs. 54%, p=0.03). Preference for tablets increased with number of current inhalers (p<0.05) but there was no correlation with total number of puffs per day or numbers of existing tablets taken. 238 (36%) opted for their preferred route of delivery in preference to greater efficacy.
Conclusion
More asthmatics would choose a tablet or syrup than another inhaler as add-on therapy for their asthma. This preference was more marked in children and in patients already taking several inhalers. 36% of patients are prepared to sacrifice greater efficacy in favour of their choice of route of delivery.
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Tuggey, J., Hosker, H., Chetcuti, P. et al. Choice of add-on therapy in asthma — another inhaler or a tablet/syrup? A survey of 1415 UK asthmatics. Prim Care Respir J 10, 27–30 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2001.9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2001.9