Asthma: ICS underuse and lack of regular healthcare contact still a problem

A study recently published in ERJ Open Research looks at the changes in asthma treatment over a 20-year period. The study compares data from three surveys (European Community Respiratory Health Surveys I, II and III) in 24 centres and 11 countries. It found that despite increased inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use, only 34% of subjects with persistent asthma take ICSs on a regular basis, and less than 50% have seen a doctor in the last year. Underuse of ICSs and a lack of regular healthcare contact therefore still seems to be a problem in asthma. Access the study in full here or browse ERJ Open Research at openres.ersjournals.com