Cost and health care utilization in patients with asthma and high oral corticosteroid use

For patients with asthma, oral corticosteroids (OCSs) have long been a component of disease management,1 although known adverse events2–5 have led to a greater reliance on inhaled corticosteroids.6 OCSs also are a well-established treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Even with treatment, OCS-dependent patients have frequent, severe exacerbations and higher costs.7,8 We compared the clinical and economic outcomes between high-OCS and low-OCS users to identify evidence of the risks and benefits of OCS treatment in patients with asthma and in the subgroup with concomitant COPD.

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