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Asthma Controller Medications for Children in Japan: Analysis of an Administrative Claims Database
Shota Hamada1, Hironobu Tokumasu2, Akira Sato1
1Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Insights
Japanese children with asthma often receive bronchodilators without anti-inflammatory drugs. Improving asthma management in Japan requires optimizing antiasthma drug prescriptions, especially controller medications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Asthma management guidelines are globally consistent for children.
- Significant international variations exist in antiasthma drug prescribing patterns.
- Controller medication use in pediatric asthma requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze antiasthma drug prescribing trends in Japanese children.
- To specifically evaluate the use of controller medications for pediatric asthma.
- To identify potential areas for improvement in asthma pharmacotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study design.
- Utilized a Japanese administrative claims database.
- Included preschool-age and school-age children diagnosed with asthma.
Main Results:
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists were prescribed to approximately 80% of children.
- Long-acting β-agonists were common in preschoolers (87.6%) but less so in school-aged children (59.6%).
- Inhaled corticosteroid prescriptions were notably low (8.2% preschool, 16.5% school-age); many children received bronchodilators without anti-inflammatory agents.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric asthma pharmacotherapy in Japan shows suboptimal use of anti-inflammatory agents.
- Prescribing patterns indicate a potential gap in controller medication utilization.
- Optimizing drug prescriptions, particularly anti-inflammatory controllers, could enhance asthma care for children in Japan.
Abstract:
Background. Treatment and management strategies for asthma in children are generally consistent internationally, but prescription of antiasthma drugs differs among countries. The objective of this study was to examine the prescribing patterns of antiasthma drugs, particularly controller medications, in children. Methods. A retrospective cohort study was performed in children with asthma using an administrative claims database in Japan. Results. A total of 1149 preschool-age and 3226 school-age children were identified. Leukotriene receptor antagonists were prescribed for about 80% of the children. Long-acting β-agonists were prescribed for 87.6% and 59.6% of preschool-age and school-age children, respectively, whereas prescriptions of inhaled corticosteroids had lower rates of 8.2% and 16.5%, respectively. In an examination of prescriptions at 1-month intervals, a relatively high number of children were prescribed bronchodilators without anti-inflammatory agents. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that asthma care for children in Japan can be improved through changes in drug prescriptions.
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