title: Overtreatment with inhaled corticosteroids and diagnostic problems in primary care patients, an exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are widely discussed in the literature. Not much is known about the possible overdiagnosis and consequently the overtreatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Aim. This study investigates how often ICS are prescribed without a proper indication and how big the diagnostic problem is caused by inappropriate prescription and use of ICS.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients referred to a primary care diagnostic centre during 6 months who used ICS without a clear indication were included. Their GPs were questioned about the reasons for prescribing ICS. If still no diagnosis could be assessed, GPs were advised to stop ICS and renew spirometry after a steroid-free period of at least 3 months. After 1 year, the use of ICS was evaluated and the diagnoses were reassessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all referred patients (2271), 1171 used ICS, 505 (30%) without a clear indication. After 1 year, final results showed that 11% of all patients originally using ICS had no indication to use ICS and had successfully ceased using this mediation. For 15%, the reasons for using ICS remained unclear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overtreatment with ICS in primary care seems to be considerable, which falsely labels patients as asthmatic and which generates unnecessary costs and possible side effects. The awareness of GPs of the need for proper diagnostic testing before prescribing ICS needs to be improved. Overtreatment with ICS in primary care patients can be diminished by systematically supporting the GP in the diagnostic procedures and decision making.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, Research Institute Caphri, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. annelies.lucas@hag.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: A E M
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: F W J M
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Smeenk
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Smeele
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: van Schayck
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011320:Primary Health Care; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones