title: Anti-asthmatic prescription variability in children according to age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is little research in the Spanish paediatric population about the consumption of anti-asthmatic agents. The aim of this study was to describe the current pattern of anti-asthmatic drug prescription in the paediatric population from a region of Spain, using the prescribed daily dose as a unit of measurement.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed the requirements of R03 therapeutic subgroup (anti-asthmatic agents) in children less than 14 years of age in the Public Health System of Castilla y León from 2005 to 2010. Consumption data are presented in prescribed daily doses per thousand inhabitants per day (PDHD) and compared with defined daily doses per thousand inhabitants per day (DHD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  394 876 prescriptions of anti-asthmatics were given to a population of 1 580 229 persons/year. Bronchodilators, leukotriene receptor antagonists, single inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting β2-adrenergics associated with inhaled corticosteroids were the most commonly prescribed drugs: 7.5, 5.2, 4.9 and 2.2 PDHD, respectively. The maximum prescription of bronchodilators (15.9 PDHD/9.8 DHD) occurred in children under 12 months, with montelukast (8.9 PDHD/3.6 DHD) and single inhaled corticosteroids (7.9 PDHD/2.9 DHD) at one year of age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Between 2005 and 2010, children under four years received a high prescription of anti-asthmatic drugs. The use of maintenance therapy was poorly aligned with the recommendations of asthma guidelines. The PDHD was more accurate for measuring consumption than DHD, especially in younger children.
authors.affiliation: Venta de Baños Health Centre, Regional Health Service, Castilla y León, Palencia, Spain. Electronic address: icasares@saludcastillayleon.es.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Casares-Alonso
authors.affiliation: Villamuriel de Cerrato Health Centre, Regional Health Service, Castilla y León, Palencia, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano-Garcinuño
authors.affiliation: University of Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blanco-Quirós
authors.affiliation: Jardinillos Health Centre, Regional Health Service, Castilla y León, Palencia, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pérez-García
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents
keywords: Anti-asthmatic agents; Childhood asthma; Defined daily dose; Drug utilisation studies; Pharmacoepidemiology; Prescribed daily dose