[Utilization of anti-asthmatic drugs among Danish children in 1998].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of anti-asthmatics among Danish children in 1998.


METHODS
Patient specific data were collected on anti-asthmatics (ATC-group R03) prescribed for children aged 0-15 years in 1998. Data included a total of 381,557 prescriptions for 139,727 individuals.


RESULTS
Anti-asthmatics were prescribed for 13.9% of all Danish children on one or several occasions in 1998. The highest one-year prevalence and incidence rate of drug use was found for children aged 0-2 years. Most children were exclusively treated with either a short acting beta 2-agonist (66.7%) or an inhaled steroid (6.5%). Only 26.2% received both types of anti-asthmatics.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, anti-asthmatics were predominantly prescribed for the youngest children. Most children were exclusively treated with a short acting beta 2-agonist in 1998, which is only recommended in the case of mild intermittent asthma.
Ingvardsen
B K
BK
Kampmann
J M
JM
Laursen
L C
LC
Johansen
H L
HL
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents