Short-acting β2-agonists and exacerbations in children with asthma in England: SABINA Junior

Abstract

Background Prescription of three or more short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) canisters per year in adult and adolescent asthma populations is associated with a risk of severe exacerbations; however, evidence in children aged 30% of patients across all age cohorts were not prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), and the median proportion of days covered was only 33%, suggesting inadequate prescribing of ICS Conclusion In children, higher SABA prescriptions at baseline were associated with increased future exacerbation rates. These findings highlight the need for monitoring prescription of three or more SABA canisters per year to identify children with asthma at risk of exacerbations.