Evaluating the uptake of a Global Initiative for Asthma guideline update in a commercially insured, value-based care population.
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: -agonist-based reliever. There are minimal real-world data examining how this update impacts clinical outcomes and costs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate real-world asthma-specific outcomes and costs before and after members adopt a preferred treatment plan aligning with the updated Global Initiative for Asthma guideline recommendations and evidence. METHODS: This retrospective, observational cohort study was performed using claims data for commercially insured members initiating an ICS-formoterol inhaler for asthma. The population included members aged 6-65 years with an asthma diagnosis, 2 or more pharmacy claims for an albuterol inhaler, and 1 or more pharmacy claims for an ICS-formoterol inhaler. The index date was the first pharmacy claim for an ICS-formoterol inhaler. All members were continuously enrolled during the 24-month study period, consisting of a 12-month preperiod and postperiod based on the index date. The primary clinical outcome was mean annual asthma exacerbations. The primary cost outcomes include the difference among mean annual asthma-specific pharmacy, medical, and total costs per member with asthma. A paired Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: In this descriptive study, initiators of ICS-formoterol experienced a decrease in asthma exacerbations and an increase in professional visits. Initiators also had higher mean asthma-specific pharmacy and total costs, but lower mean asthma-specific medical costs. Health plans can take additional steps to promote implementation of updated guidelines. Pursuing clinical programs to further reduce asthma exacerbations would benefit members, providers, and the health plan.
Source: PubMed
Authors: Lindsey M McInturff, Spenser Smith
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4408089656