Greenhouse gas emissions associated with asthma care in the UK: results from SABINA CARBON

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Understanding the carbon footprint of respiratory care will identify strategies for reduction. Uncontrolled asthma increases exacerbation risk and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU); the impact of good control on the carbon footprint remains to be quantified. <b>Aim:</b> Describe greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to asthma control in SABINA (short-acting β₂-agonist [SABA] use IN Asthma) UK as part of the CARBON (healthCARe-Based carbON cost of treatment) programme. <b>Methods:</b> Asthma patients (≥12 yrs) enrolled in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (2007-2017) were included. 1-year GHG emissions from medications, exacerbations (ATS/ERS definition) and HCRU were estimated for controlled (&lt;3 SABA canisters/yr and no exacerbations at baseline) and not controlled patients (≥3 SABA canisters/yr or ≥1 exacerbation) by descriptive statistics. <b>Results:</b> Of 206,397 patients, 48% were not controlled, 57% were aged 18-54 yrs, 58% female, mean asthma duration 12 yrs and most at BTS step 2 (35%). GHG emissions were 64 kg vs 192 kg CO₂ eq/person/yr in the controlled vs not controlled group, or ~157,000 vs 562,000 tonnes CO₂ eq when scaled to the UK asthma population (Fig 1). Medications accounted for 99% of GHG emissions, with 63% from SABA usage. <b>Conclusion:</b> Good asthma control had one-third the carbon footprint of not controlled asthma. Reducing SABA reliance and exacerbations will benefit patients and the environment.