Branded fixed-dose combination inhaled corticosteroid / long-acting beta2-agonist therapy

(i) Exacerbation control

AND

(ii) No change in therapeutic regimen:

• ≥50% increase in ICS dose relative to IPD dose, and/or
• Change in ICS/LABA drug within class, and/or
• Change in delivery device, and/or
• Use of additional (defined as not received during baseline year) therapy as defined by: theophylline, leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs).

1. Definite: Hospitalisations coded with an asthma read code
2. Definite + Probable: Hospitalisations with an asthma read code + uncoded hospitalisations occurring within a 7-day window (either side of the hospitalisation date) of an asthma read code

Compliance calculation based on prescription refills and (where possible) compliance questionnaire data

average daily dosage during outcome year. Outcome SABA usage will be categorised within ranges used to match baseline SABA use to optimise matching of the treatment arms.

Mean healthcare costs (drug costs + consultation, admission costs, etc - total and respiratory-related) per patient recorded during the outcome year

1. Definite: Hospitalisations coded with a lower respiratory code
2. Definite + Probable: Hospitalisations with an asthma read code + uncoded hospitalisations occurring within a 7-day window (either side of the hospitalisation date) of a lower respiratory read code

Identified as:

(i) Topical oral anti-fungal prescriptions, and / or

(ii) Coded for oral candidiasis