Volume 28, Issue 146, April 2024

A systematic review of prescription patterns and cost of treatment in Asthma management in Asian countries

Sara Shahid¹, Sumbal Rafique², Afshan Abdul Shakoor², Muhammad Sheraz², Ramsha Aamir², Maryam Safder Butt², Aqsa Malik², Eman Javed², Samar Zia², Aliza Amjad², Sakeena Amir², Hassan Fayyaz², Ayesha Zulfiqar², Muhammad Zahid Iqbal^1♦

¹Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
²Research Student, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Background: Asthma, a chronic disease of airways is associated with recurring episodes of dyspnea and wheezing that vary in intensity and frequency among individuals. Effective management of Asthma is crucial to manage symptoms and decrease the economic burden associated. Objective: The present review is aimed to find out prescription pattern trends for asthma treatment and to measure the cost for treating asthma in Asian countries. Methodology: Following PRISMA flow statement guidelines, the present systematic literature-review that was conducted by utilizing keywords that were related to Asthma prescription patterns and economic burden in Asia, focusing on original research published from 2002-2023. Databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus were employed to extract data. The ZEE tool was utilized to minimize the risk of bias among extracted cross-sectional studies. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies involving asthmatic patients of all ages from Asian countries, focusing on prescription patterns and asthma treatment costs. Results: Out of 33 extracted studies, 30 met the inclusion criteria. Prescription trends across Asia vary, with some regions prefer short-acting beta-agonists and anticholinergics for acute attacks. While, others emphasize inhaled-corticosteroids along with the longacting beta-agonists. Notably, economic burden of disease management remains significant, particularly in Japan, for severe asthma patients. Conclusion: The systematic literature review comprehensively analyzes asthma prescription patterns and the economic impact of its management in Asia. Despite advancements in treatment, there remains a need to harmonize practices with global guidelines for improving clinical results and decreasing the economic burden associated with Asthma.

Keywords: Asthma, Asia, ZEE tool, Beta agonist, Corticosteroids, Cost of treatment, Prescription Pattern

Medical Science, 2024, 28, e33ms3328

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v28i146.e33ms3328

Published: 20 April 2024