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. 2023 Apr 20;18(4):e0283876.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283876. eCollection 2023.

Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of asthma patients towards the use of short-acting β2-agonists: A systematic review

Zhe Chi Loh  1 , Rabia Hussain  1 , Shamala Balan  2 , Bandana Saini  3 , Jaya Muneswarao  4 , Siew Chin Ong  1 , Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar  5
Affiliations

Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of asthma patients towards the use of short-acting β2-agonists: A systematic review

Zhe Chi Loh et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Short-acting β2-agonists (SABA), the most potent and rapid-acting relievers are commonly used to provide quick relief of asthma symptoms. However, there is an increasing concern regarding the misuse of SABA medicines.

Objective: This qualitative systematic review aims to determine, evaluate, and summarize the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors towards the use of SABA from the patients' perspectives.

Methods: The databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane database. Original research articles reporting the perceptions, attitudes, or behaviors of asthma patients towards the use of SABA, which was available as full text, published in the English language between the year 2000 and February 2023 were included in the review. Commentaries, letters to editor, review articles, and conference proceedings were excluded.

Results: A total of five articles were included. Six overarching themes were obtained: (1) perceptions on health status; (2) perceptions and attitudes towards the impact of asthma; (3) perceptions towards asthma control; (4) perceptions towards asthma knowledge; (5) risk perceptions; (6) perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors towards the use of SABA.

Conclusion: Despite the fact that SABA could rapidly alleviate asthma symptoms, SABA over-users were less likely to describe their health status and asthma control as 'excellent'. Most SABA over-users did not know that frequent SABA usage would worsen their asthma control, and they exhibited psychological linkage towards the use of SABA. Collaborative efforts between policymakers, healthcare professionals and patients are warranted to reconstruct SABA prescribing practice and usage.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. PRISMA flow diagram for the screening and selection of studies.
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