Excess SABA prescribing in respiratory patients and social deprivation in general practice: a study of 4 million patients?

Presented as a poster at ISPOR Europe 2024.

Authors

Michael Crooks, Heath Heatley, Katherine Hickman, Joan B. Soriano, and David Price.

Focus

The study examines the relationship between social deprivation (measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation, IMD) and short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) prescribing in respiratory patients in the UK, using data from over 4 million patients in the OPCRD dataset.

Key Insights

• Increased SABA Prescribing in Deprived Areas: Respiratory patients registered at general practices in more socioeconomically deprived areas (lower IMD scores) were prescribed significantly more SABA medications per year.
• Poorer Disease Control: Frequent SABA use, particularly in patients receiving 3 or more prescriptions annually, indicates worse disease control and less effective treatment or management of respiratory conditions in these populations.
• Statistical Significance: A strong correlation was found between higher SABA prescribing rates and lower IMD scores (r2=0.8943, p<0.001).
• Implications: Social deprivation may contribute to poorer respiratory disease management, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and improved access to preventive care in these communities.

OPRI, the Observational & Pragmatic Research Institute, is an independent research organisation distinguished in accessing unique global data sources to deliver observational and pragmatic research. For more information click here.

The Optimum Patient Care Research Database (OPCRD) provides de-identified data from over 1,2100 general practices across the UK and over 24 million de-identified patients. For more information click here.

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