Predictive Ability of Therapeutic Risk Factors in Pediatric and Adult Asthma Patients

The ratio of controller medication (CM) to total asthma medication (AM), which is well established in predicting future asthma events in adults, was calculated as the ratio of the units of CMs used during the defined period divided by the sum of the units of CMs plus the units of inhaled short-acting beta-agonists used during the same period. A CM is defined as any inhaled corticosteroid containing medication, methylxanthines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or cromolyn sodium. The ratio is calculated using all CM. Asthma controllers are medications used to treat asthma on a regular basis.

Time frame: January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006: 3, 6, and 12 month follow-up periods

Population: Ingenix Impact National Managed Care Database members who had \>=1 ICD-9 code for asthma and had \>= 1 controller medication or \>=5 albuterol canisters dispensed identified in the database during the 12-month identification period (pre-index). We tested 3 different capture/follow-up periods; thus, sample sizes varied depending capture period used.

The number of albuterol canisters dispensed is a marker that is well established in predicting future asthma events in an adult population.

Time frame: January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006: 3, 6, and 12 month follow-up periods

Population: Ingenix Impact National Managed Care Database members who had \>=1 ICD-9 code for asthma and had \>= 1 controller medication or \>=1 albuterol canister dispensed during the 12-month pre-index period.