The controller-to-total asthma medication ratio is associated with patient-centered as well as utilization outcomes.

Background The ratio of controller medication to total asthma medications has been related to asthma utilization outcomes, but its relationship to patient-centered outcomes has not been explored. Methods Surveys that included validated asthma quality-of-life, control, and symptom severity tools were completed by a random sample of 2,250 health maintenance organization members aged 18 to 56 years who had persistent asthma. Linked computerized pharmacy data provided dispensing information on β-agonist canisters and asthma controller medication. The ratio was calculated as the number of controller medications dispensed during the year of the survey divided by the total number medications ( ie , inhaled β-agonist plus controller medications) dispensed. The relationships of the optimal ratio cutoff to patient-centered outcomes and to subsequent acute asthma exacerbations were determined. Results Mean asthma quality-of-life, asthma control, and symptom severity scale scores were significantly (p Conclusion A higher controller medication/total asthma medication ratio is associated with better patient-centered asthma outcomes as well as with reduced emergency hospital utilization. This adds further support to the use of the medication ratio as an asthma quality-of-care measure.