Rescue Inhaler Overuse in Severe Asthma: A Real-World Study of Short-Acting β2-Agonist and Short-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist Use
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Study Variables
2.2. Overuse Assessment
2.3. Statistical Analysis
2.4. Ethical Considerations
3. Results
4. Rescue Overuse According to Pharmacological Outcomes
4.1. Maintenance Inhaled Therapy
4.2. Biologic Therapies
4.3. Oral Corticosteroids
5. Rescue Overuse According to Clinical Outcomes
5.1. Asthma Control Test
5.2. Pulmonary Function
5.3. Allergies
5.4. Asthma-Related Comorbidity
6. Discussion
7. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Asher, M.I.; García-Marcos, L.; Pearce, N.E.; Strachan, D.P. Trends in worldwide asthma prevalence. Eur. Respir. J. 2020, 56, 2002094. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators. Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet 2020, 396, 1204–1222. [CrossRef]
- GEMA 5.5. Spanish Guideline on the Management of Asthma SANED. 2025. Available online: https://www.gemasma.com (accessed on 31 March 2026).
- Venkatesan, P. 2023 GINA report for asthma. Lancet Respir. Med. 2023, 11, 589. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tsao, C.L.; Chan, S.Y.; Lee, M.H.; Hsieh, T.Y.J.; Phipatanakul, W.; Ruran, H.B.; Ma, K.S. Adverse Outcomes Associated With Short-Acting Beta-Agonist Overuse in Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Allergy 2025, 80, 1629–1646. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Quint, J.K.; Arnetorp, S.; Kocks, J.W.H.; Kupczyk, M.; Nuevo, J.; Plaza, V.; Gilbert, I.; Lugogo, N.L.; van der Valk, R.J.P. SABINA North American and European Study contributors. Short-Acting Beta-2-Agonist Exposure and Severe Asthma Exacerbations: SABINA Findings From Europe and North America. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. Pract. 2022, 10, 2297–2309.e10. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- To, T.; Zhu, J.; Terebessy, E.; Zhang, K.; Gershon, A.S.; Licskai, C. Is overreliance on short-acting β2-agonists associated with health risks in the older asthma population? ERJ Open Res. 2022, 8, 00032–02022. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Valero, A.; Molina, J.; Nuevo, J.; Simon, S.; Capel, M.; Sicras-Mainar, A.; Sicras-Navarro, A.; Plaza, V. Economic Consequences of the Overuse of Short-Acting ß-Adrenergic Agonists in the Treatment of Asthma in Spain. J. Investig. Allergol. Clin. Immunol. 2023, 33, 109–118. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- De Las Vecillas, L.; Quirce, S. Landscape of short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) overuse in Europe. Clin. Exp. Allergy 2023, 53, 132–144. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Nwaru, B.I.; Ekström, M.; Hasvold, P.; Wiklund, F.; Telg, G.; Janson, C. Overuse of short-acting β2-agonists in asthma is associated with increased risk of exacerbation and mortality: A nationwide cohort study of the global SABINA programme. Eur. Respir. J. 2020, 55, 1901872. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Janson, C.; Menzies-Gow, A.; Nan, C.; Nuevo, J.; Papi, A.; Quint, J.K.; Quirce, S.; Vogelmeier, C.F. SABINA: An Overview of Short-Acting β2-Agonist Use in Asthma in European Countries. Adv. Ther. 2020, 37, 1124–1135. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bateman, E.D.; Price, D.B.; Wang, H.C.; Khattab, A.; Schonffeldt, P.; Catanzariti, A.; van der Valk, R.J.P.; Beekman, M.J.H.I. Short-acting β2-agonist prescriptions are associated with poor clinical outcomes of asthma: The multi-country, cross-sectional SABINA III study. Eur. Respir. J. 2022, 59, 2101402. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cabrera, C.S.; Nan, C.; Lindarck, N.; Beekman, M.J.H.I.; Arnetorp, S.; van der Valk, R.J.P. SABINA: Global programme to evaluate prescriptions and clinical outcomes related to short-acting β2-agonist use in asthma. Eur. Respir. J. 2020, 55, 1901858. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Noorduyn, S.G.; Qian, C.; Johnston, K.M.; Soliman, M.; Talukdar, M.; Walker, B.L.; Hernandez, P.; Penz, E. SABA use as an indicator for asthma exacerbation risk: An observational cohort study (SABINA Canada). ERJ Open Res. 2022, 8, 00140–02022. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Levy, M.L. The national review of asthma deaths: What did we learn and what needs to change? Breathe 2015, 11, 14–24. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Licari, A.; Manti, S.; Mastellone, F.; Miraglia Del Giudice, M.; Marseglia, G.L.; Tosca, M.A. Asthma and Personalized Therapies Committee of the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology (SIAIP). Critical reappraisal of short-acting bronchodilators for pediatric respiratory diseases. Ital. J. Pediatr. 2024, 50, 104. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Molina, J.; Plaza, V.; Nuevo, J.; Gutiérrez, M.; Sicras-Mainar, A.; Valero, A. Clinical Consequences of the Overuse of Short-Acting β2-Adrenergic Agonists (SABA) in the Treatment of Asthma in Spain: The SABINA Study. Open Respir. Arch. 2023, 5, 100232. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention. 2025. Updated May 2025. Available online: https://www.ginasthma.org/2025-gina-strategy-report/ (accessed on 26 February 2026).
- Reddel, H.K.; FitzGerald, J.M.; Bateman, E.D.; Bacharier, L.B.; Becker, A.; Brusselle, G.; Buhl, R.; Cruz, A.A.; Fleming, L.; Inoue, H.; et al. GINA 2019: A fundamental change in asthma management: Treatment of asthma with short-acting bronchodilators alone is no longer recommended for adults and adolescents. Eur. Respir. J. 2019, 53, 1901046. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Beasley, R.; Holliday, M.; Reddel, H.K.; Braithwaite, I.; Ebmeier, S.; Hancox, R.J.; Harrison, T.; Houghton, C.; Oldfield, K.; Papi, A.; et al. Novel START Study Team. Controlled Trial of Budesonide-Formoterol as Needed for Mild Asthma. N. Engl. J. Med. 2019, 380, 2020–2030. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Papi, A.; Chipps, B.E.; Beasley, R.; Panettieri RAJr Israel, E.; Cooper, M.; Dunsire, L.; Jeynes-Ellis, A.; Johnsson, E.; Rees, R.; Cappelletti, C.; et al. Albuterol-Budesonide Fixed-Dose Combination Rescue Inhaler for Asthma. N. Engl. J. Med. 2022, 386, 2071–2083. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Crossingham, I.; Turner, S.; Ramakrishnan, S.; Fries, A.; Gowell, M.; Yasmin, F.; Richardson, R.; Webb, P.; O’Boyle, E.; Hinks, T.S. Combination fixed-dose beta agonist and steroid inhaler as required for adults or children with mild asthma. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2021, 5, CD013518. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Granda, P.; Villamañán, E.; Carpio, C.; Laorden, D.; Sobrino, C.; Herrero, A.; Quirce, S.; Álvarez-Sala, R. Adherence to inhalers in patients with severe asthma treated with anti-interleukin-5 biologics. Farm. Hosp. 2022, 46, 203–207. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Plaza, V.; López-Viña, A.; Entrenas, L.M.; Fernández-Rodríguez, C.; Melero, C.; Pérez-Llano, L.; Gutiérrez-Pereyra, F.; Tarragona, E.; Palomino, R.; Cosio, B.G. Differences in Adherence and Non-Adherence Behaviour Patterns to Inhaler Devices Between COPD and Asthma Patients. J. Chronic Obstr. Pulm. Dis. 2016, 13, 547–554. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Valverde-Monge, M.; Barroso, B.; Ortega-Martin, L.; Betancor, D.; Santillan, J.; Villacampa, J.M.; Sastre, J. Exploring Adherence to Treatment in Nasal Polyposis. J. Investig. Allergol. Clin. Immunol. 2022, 32, 299–301. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Bourdin, A.; Halimi, L.; Vachier, I.; Paganin, F.; Lamouroux, A.; Gouitaa, M.; Vairon, E.; Godard, P.; Chanez, P. Adherence in severe asthma. Clin. Exp. Allergy 2012, 42, 1566–1574. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Celebi Sozener, Z.; Aydin, O.; Celik, G.E.; Mungan, D. Effect of adherence on asthma control: More patient knowledge, more adherence, more control. Intern. Med. J. 2025, 55, 1483–1490. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Azzi, E.A.; Kritikos, V.; Peters, M.J.; Price, D.B.; Srour, P.; Cvetkovski, B.; Bosnic-Anticevich, S. Understanding reliever overuse in patients purchasing over-the-counter short-acting beta2 agonists: An Australian community pharmacy-based survey. BMJ Open 2019, 9, e028995. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gyawali, B.; Georas, S.N.; Khurana, S. Biologics in severe asthma: A state-of-the-art review. Eur. Respir. Rev. 2025, 34, 240088. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jackson, D.J.; Heaney, L.G.; Humbert, M.; Kent, B.D.; Shavit, A.; Hiljemark, L.; Olinger, L.; Cohen, D.; Menzies-Gow, A.; Korn, S.; et al. Reduction of daily maintenance inhaled corticosteroids in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab (SHAMAL): A randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 4 study. Lancet 2024, 403, 271–281. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Matsumoto, T. Reconsidering the overuse of short-acting β2-agonists: Clinical relevance beyond symptom relief. ERJ Open Res. 2025, 11, 00864–02025. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Faria, N.; Costa, M.I.; Fernandes, A.L.; Fernandes, A.; Fernandes, B.; Machado, D.C.; Machado, F.; Simão, L.; Ribeiro, L.; Ferreira, L.; et al. Biologic Therapies for Severe Asthma: Current Insights and Future Directions. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 3153. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Oberle, A.J.; Abbas, F.; Adrish, M.; Agache, I.; Conroy, M.; Coz Yataco, A.O.; Little, F.F.; Mammen, M.J.; Anand, M.P.; Reddy, R.; et al. Biologic Management in Severe Asthma for Adults: An American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Chest 2026, 169, 336–348. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Canonica, G.W.; Paggiaro, P.; Blasi, F.; Musarra, A.; Richeldi, L.; Rossi, A.; Papi, A. Manifesto on the overuse of SABA in the management of asthma: New approaches and new strategies. Ther. Adv. Respir. Dis. 2021, 15, 17534666211042534. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Amin, S.; Soliman, M.; McIvor, A.; Cave, A.; Cabrera, C. Usage Patterns of Short-Acting β2-Agonists and Inhaled Corticosteroids in Asthma: A Targeted Literature Review. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. Pract. 2020, 8, 2556–2564.e8. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Zhang, S.; White, J.; Hunter, A.G.; Hinds, D.; Fowler, A.; Gardiner, F.; Slade, D.; Murali, S.; Meeraus, W. Suboptimally controlled asthma in patients treated with inhaled ICS/LABA: Prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes. npj Prim. Care Respir. Med. 2023, 33, 19. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- van Dijk, B.C.P.; Svedsater, H.; Heddini, A.; Nelsen, L.; Balradj, J.S.; Alleman, C. Relationship between the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and other outcomes: A targeted literature review. BMC Pulm. Med. 2020, 20, 79. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Quanjer, P.H.; Stanojevic, S.; Cole, T.J.; Baur, X.; Hall, G.L.; Culver, B.H.; Enright, P.L.; Hankinson, J.L.; Ip, M.S.; Zheng, J.; et al. ERS Global Lung Function Initiative. Multi-ethnic reference values for spirometry for the 3–95-yr age range: The global lung function 2012 equations. Eur. Respir. J. 2012, 40, 1324–1343. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]


| Characteristic | Total (N = 223) |
|---|---|
| Mean age (±SD) yr. | 61.3 ± 15.04 |
| Female | 157 (70.4%) |
| Comorbidity associated with severe asthma | |
| 79 (35.4%) |
| 77 (34.5%) |
| 69 (30.9%) |
| 31 (13.9%) |
| 27 (12.1%) |
| 26 (11.6%) |
| 13 (5.8%) |
| 5 (2.2%) |
| Reliever Inhaler Prescribed (N = 144) | N (SABAs + SAMAs) | 95% CI | SAMAs | SABAs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reliever inhaler overuse | 85/144 (59.0%) | 50.9–66.7% | 10/21 (47.6%) | 75/123 (61.0%) |
| Low overuse (<three canisters withdrawals/four months) | 68/144 (47.2%) | 39.2–55.3% | 8/21 (38.1%) | 60/123 (48.8%) |
| High overuse (≥three canisters withdrawals/four months) | 16/144 (11.1%) | 7.0–17.3% | 2/21 (9.5%) | 14/123 (11.4%) |
| Variable | Exp (B) | 95% CI for Exp (B) (Lower–Upper) | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT ≥ 20 | 0.228 | 0.095–0.548 | 0.001 |
| Constant | 3.778 | — | 0.000 |
| Pulmonary Function Tests | Rescue Overuse | Mean | ±SD | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEV1 (% predicted) | yes | 69.7 | 19.3 | 0.088 |
| no | 76.1 | 23.3 | ||
| FEV1 (mL) | yes | 1918.3 | 784.8 | 0.23 |
| no | 2128.5 | 876.4 | ||
| FVC (% predicted) | yes | 82.8 | 17.1 | 0.503 |
| no | 89.6 | 18.6 | ||
| FEV1/FVC (%) | yes | 69.3 | 14.7 | 0.612 |
| no | 66.6 | 12.6 | ||
| VC (mL) | yes | 2825.2 | 947.8 | 0.478 |
| no | 3159.0 | 1010.3 | ||
| FENO (ppb) | yes | 33.2 | 38.1 | 0.185 |
| no | 43.3 | 46.9 |
| Comorbidity Associated with Asthma | N | Rescue Inhaler Overuse | % Rescue Inhaler Overuse | Acceptable Adherence to Inhaled Maintenance Therapy (>50%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronchiectasis | 77 | 30/77 | 38.9% | 63/77 (81.8%) |
| Anxiety/Depression | 31 | 5/31 | 16.1% | 25/31 (80.6%) |
| Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis | 13 | 1/13 | 7.7% | 13/13 (100.0%) |
| COPD | 27 | 2/27 | 7.4% | 24/27 (88.9%) |
| Gastroesophageal reflux | 79 | 5/79 | 6.3% | 64/79 (81.0%) |
| Vocal cords dysfunction | 5 | 0/5 | 0.0% | 4/5 (80.0%) |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
Share and Cite
Villamañán, E.; Laorden, D.; Carpio, C.; Domínguez-Ortega, J.; De las Vecillas, L.; Romero, D.; Betancor, D.; Alfonso, C.; De Andrés, S.; Mallón, S.; et al. Rescue Inhaler Overuse in Severe Asthma: A Real-World Study of Short-Acting β2-Agonist and Short-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist Use. Biomedicines 2026, 14, 1332. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14061332
Villamañán E, Laorden D, Carpio C, Domínguez-Ortega J, De las Vecillas L, Romero D, Betancor D, Alfonso C, De Andrés S, Mallón S, et al. Rescue Inhaler Overuse in Severe Asthma: A Real-World Study of Short-Acting β2-Agonist and Short-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist Use. Biomedicines. 2026; 14(6):1332. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14061332
Chicago/Turabian StyleVillamañán, Elena, Daniel Laorden, Carlos Carpio, Javier Domínguez-Ortega, Leticia De las Vecillas, David Romero, Diana Betancor, Carolina Alfonso, Susana De Andrés, Sonia Mallón, and et al. 2026. "Rescue Inhaler Overuse in Severe Asthma: A Real-World Study of Short-Acting β2-Agonist and Short-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist Use" Biomedicines 14, no. 6: 1332. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14061332
APA StyleVillamañán, E., Laorden, D., Carpio, C., Domínguez-Ortega, J., De las Vecillas, L., Romero, D., Betancor, D., Alfonso, C., De Andrés, S., Mallón, S., Villarroya, E., Soto, A., Sobrino, C., Moro, M., Mariscal, P., Herrero, A., Quirce, S., & Álvarez-Sala, R., on behalf of Asma Grave HULP Study Group. (2026). Rescue Inhaler Overuse in Severe Asthma: A Real-World Study of Short-Acting β2-Agonist and Short-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist Use. Biomedicines, 14(6), 1332. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14061332

