title: Changes in primary care prescribing patterns for paediatric asthma: a prescribing database analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the impact of British asthma management guideline revisions. Concerns about the use of high dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in children have resulted in the promotion of add-on therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess prescribing patterns of asthma medication in children in the primary care setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective observational study of asthma prescribing in children aged 0-18 years using primary care database from 2001 to 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of children prescribed oral corticosteroids increased significantly (from 6% in 2001-2002 to 16% in 2005-2006, p<0.001), while the proportion of children prescribed an ICS dose of >400 mcg decreased from 16.2% to 11.7% (P<0.001). The proportion of children prescribed an add-on therapy and an ICS dose >400 µg, increased from 38.8 % in 2001-2002 to 61.2% in 2005-2006 (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although adherence with asthma management guidelines is not optimal, this study has identified improved adherence in primary care.
authors: Department of Child Health, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZG, UK.
authors: Hajer
authors: H
authors: Elkout
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: Helms
authors: Colin R
authors: CR
authors: Simpson
authors: James S
authors: JS
authors: McLay