The use of anti-asthmatic drugs in children: results of a community-based survey in Germany.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of anti-asthma drugs in children in the general population and in children with asthma using data from two large surveys in Germany.


METHODS
Community-based random sample of 5-7 and 9-11-year-old children in Dresden and Munich were studied in 1995/96 by parental questionnaires using the Phase II protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). A total of 11,094 children participated in the surveys (response rate 83%).


RESULTS
In all children, inhaled beta 2-agonists were used most frequently during the last 12 months (2.6%), followed by inhaled cromolyns (2.5%), oral beta 2-agonists (1.5%), and inhaled steroids (0.9%). Drug use was significantly higher among boys than girls and in older children compared to younger ones (P < 0.05 for both). Among children with current asthma, 47% had used inhaled beta 2-agonists, 43% inhaled cromolyns, 22% oral beta 2-agonists, and 16% inhaled steroids. Inhaled steroids were used significantly more often in Dresden (21.7%) than in Munich (11.2%) (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Among anti-asthma drugs, agents used for symptomatic relief were the most frequently reported followed by inhaled anti-inflammatory agents. Most of the anti-inflammatory drugs used were SCG, which may indicate under-treatment with inhaled steroids.
Beimfohr
C
C
Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Domagkstr. 3, 48129 Münster, Germany.
Maziak
W
W
von Mutius
E
E
Hense
H W
HW
Leupold
W
W
Hirsch
T
T
Keil
U
U
Weiland
S K
SK
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000187:drug effects; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2