Higher patient perceived side effects related to higher daily doses of inhaled corticosteroids in the community: A cross-sectional analysis

SummaryThe range and extent of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) side effects experienced by patients in the general community are likely to be underestimated.AimsTo identify the side effects of ICS perceived by patients in the community and, through the use of a self-report questionnaire, measure their intensity, prevalence and relationship with daily medication dose.MethodsFocus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted to identify side effects that patients associated with their use of ICS. In an international multicentre cross-sectional survey, 395 inhaler users from community pharmacy (mean age 50, 53% female), divided into 4 daily dosage groups (β2-agonist without ICS n=66n=66, beclometasone dipropionate (BDP) equivalent ICS low dose ⩽400 μg, n=109n=109; mid dose 401–800 μg, n=151n=151; and high dose >800 μg, n=69n=69) reported how much they were affected by these side effects on a 7-point Likert scale.ResultsFocus groups and interviews revealed 57 side effects that were associated with ICS use. Cross-sectional survey results showed significant differences in side effect perception between the four dosage groups for 31 items (all P⩽0.01P⩽0.01) and a rising intensity with increasing ICS dose for total side effect score (P<0.001P<0.001). For ICS users reporting the most bothersome side effects (scoring ⩾3 on 0–6 scale) there was a rising prevalence as ICS dose increased for 34 items. A multivariate model confirmed that mid and high ICS dosages were statistically significantly associated with side effect perception after controlling for the other factors and covariates.ConclusionsHigher daily ICS doses were associated with a higher intensity and a higher prevalence of many patient perceived side effects, lending support to the call for dose titration in clinical practice. Results indicate the usefulness of patient self-report scales for understanding the burden of side effects of ICS in the community.