Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40889995›Full record

ArticleBMJ open respiratory research2025

Trends in inhaler use and associated carbon footprint: a sales data-based study in Europe.

Ville Vartiainen, Christer Janson, Hanna Hisinger-Mölkänen, Lauri Lehtimäki, Alexander Wilkinson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open respiratory research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ville VartiainenIndividualized Drug Therapy Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Christer JansonRespiratory, Allergy, and Sleep Research, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5093-6980
Hanna Hisinger-MölkänenOrion Pharma Oy, Espoo, Finland hanna.hisinger-molkanen@helsinki.fi.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2293-0279
Lauri LehtimäkiFaculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
Alexander WilkinsonDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Stevenage, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1808-3663

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPhysicians are being encouraged to favour dry powder inhalers (DPI) over pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDI) on environmental grounds. The EU is reviewing the F-gas regulation to accelerate emission phase-down targets. Thoughtful use of inhalers can reduce emissions while promoting positive clinical outcomes. We aim to describe the trends of pMDI and DPI use and associated carbon footprint in Europe.

methodsDPI and pMDI sales data between 2011 and 2021 were extracted from IQVIA MIDAS Quarterly 2022 as total sold doses in 10 European countries. Carbon footprint calculations were based on the Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee 2022 assessment report.

resultsBetween 2011 and 2021, the carbon footprint of pMDI-based inhalation therapy increased from 3368 to 3891 kilotons (kt) CO

conclusionsThe carbon footprint of inhaler therapy in Europe grew due to an increased use of pMDIs in many European countries. Greater focus on guideline-based controller therapy will potentially improve patient outcomes and decrease SABA over-reliance. Prioritising DPIs or soft mist inhalers when clinically appropriate can lower inhaler greenhouse gas emissions.

Indexed as

Carbon FootprintDry Powder InhalersMetered Dose InhalersAdministration, InhalationCommerceEuropeHumansAsthmaInhaler devices

Identifiers

PMID40889995
PMCPMC12406821

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.