Abstract
Objective: To evaluate prescriptions of asthma medication for children in primary care.
Methods: Data on prescriptions of asthma medication for children aged 0-9 years were collected from a general practice-based network in the north eastern part of the Netherlands. Prevalence, incidence, indications, continuation beyond the age of 6 years, and predictors of continuation, were determined.
Results: Prevalence of prescriptions was about 80 per 1000 person years. An asthma diagnosis was registered in 40% of the children with a first prescription and in 70% of the children with six or more prescriptions. Discontinuation of asthma medication was between 60 and 90%. Continuation was more likely in children with a first prescription at age 2 or 3 as compared to children starting treatment at age
Conclusion: Continuation of asthma medication in children is low. Age at first prescription and the type of asthma medication are predictors of continuation of asthma medication from preschool into school-age. (C) 2010 Primary Care Respiratory Society UK. All rights reserved. S Schokker et al. Prim Care Resp J 2010; 19(1): 28-34. doi:10.4104/pcrj.2009.00039
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 28-34 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Primary Care Respiratory Journal |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar-2010 |
Keywords
- asthma
- paediatrics
- primary care
- medications
- prescriptions