Abstract

MOLFINO, Néstor A.. Trends in pharmacotherapy for chronic airflow limitation in Argentina: 1992-2002. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2004, vol.64, n.5, pp.407-412. ISSN 0025-7680.

Asthma and COPD mortality rates have decreased in Argentina. These trends might be the result of the way these conditions are being treated. The number of units for prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs used to treat chronic airflow limitation in Argentina from 1992 through 2002 were analyzed. Units for drugs to treat chronic airflow limitation fell by 45% over the 11-year period (p < 0.0001) due to significant reductions for oral b₂-agonists (OBA) (down 73%), theophyllines (down 74%), oral steroids (OS) (down 66%) and inhaled short-acting b₂-agonists (ISABA) (down 28%).  Market share for inhaled steroids (IS) increased from 2.6% to 11.7%, for inhaled ipratropium (IP) from 0.35% to 3.7%, for the combination of inhaled steroids with short-acting b₂-agonists (IS+ISABA) from 7.8% to 13%, and for inhaled IP combined with short-acting b₂-agonists (IP+ISABA) it increased from 1.7% to 7.3%.  Inhaled long-acting b₂-agonists (ILABA) and leukotriene modifiers (LM) were rarely prescribed. The use of more specific inhaled therapies (IS, IP) increased significantly in accordance with recommendations for the treatment of asthma and COPD and this may explain the reduction in asthma and COPD mortality in Argentina.

Keywords : COPD; Asthma; Bronchodilators; Inhaled steroids; Morbidity; Mortality; Pharmacoeconomics.

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