OCS use in Australia, a retrospective cohort analysis 2020

About 1 in 4 people with asthma using preventer medicines receive potentially toxic cumulative doses of OCS (over 5 years). Half of those using high-dose ICS preventers and potentially toxic doses of OCS are not using their preventer regularly. (ref 1)

In Australia, amongst people with asthma aged 12 and over that were prescribed inhaled corticosteroids: (ref 1)
– 52% used OCS between 2014 and 2018
– 28% received 1000mg or more prednisoline-equivalent during the 5-year period
– 10% of those using high dose ICS/LABA preventer during 2018 received 1000mg prednisolone equivalent or more over the 12-month period, with half of them (50%) using their preventer infrequently and therefore inadequately
– 5.5% of those using ICS alone or low-moderate dose ICS/LABA preventer during 2018 received 1000mg prednisolone equivalent or more over the 12-month period, with 68% of them using their preventer infrequently and therefore inadequently
– OCS were prescribed in 2018 mostly by GPs (76%), followed by non-specialists (19%) and respiratory specialists (5.5%)

Fig from position paper (Blakey et al, ref 2)

Categories: Oral corticosteroids

Author: Agnes

Source 1 Name: Hew M, et al. Cumulative dispensing of high oral corticosteroid doses for treating asthma in Australia. Med J Aust. 2020 Oct;213(7):316-320. doi: 10.5694/mja2.50758

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Entry Date: 03/02/2022

Source 2 Name: Blakey J, et al. Oral corticosteroids stewardship for asthma in adults and adolescents: A position paper from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. Respirology. 2021 Dec;26(12):1112-1130. doi: 10.1111/resp.14147