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Changes in primary care prescribing patterns for paediatric asthma: a prescribing database analysis

Hajer Elkout1, Peter J Helms, Colin R Simpson

  • 1Department of Child Health, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZG, UK.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|May 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

British asthma guidelines for children saw increased oral corticosteroid use and add-on therapy, with a decrease in high-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) prescriptions. Primary care adherence improved, though not yet optimal.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Primary Care Medicine

Background:

  • Limited data exists on the impact of British asthma guideline revisions.
  • Concerns regarding high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in children have led to promoting add-on therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate pediatric asthma medication prescribing patterns.
  • Focus on primary care settings in the UK.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study.
  • Utilized a primary care database.
  • Included children aged 0-18 years from 2001 to 2006.

Main Results:

  • Significant increase in oral corticosteroid prescriptions (6% to 16%).
  • Decrease in high-dose ICS (>400 mcg) prescriptions (16.2% to 11.7%).
  • Substantial rise in add-on therapy with high-dose ICS (38.8% to 61.2%).

Conclusions:

  • Primary care adherence to asthma management guidelines has improved.
  • Optimal adherence has not yet been achieved.
Abstract

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