title: [Paediatric prescribing of anti-asthmatics in primary care in Castilla-León. Geographical variability].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases with effective treatment in paediatrics. The aim of this study is to describe the paediatric prescribing of anti-asthmatics in Castilla-León, analyzing its geographic variability and temporal evolution.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analysis was made of prescriptions dispensed in pharmacies of R03 therapeutic subgroup (anti-asthmatic agents), and the active ingredients mepyramine and ketotifen, prescribed in children less than 14 years of age in the Castilla-León health service from 2005 to 2010 in Primary Care. Data is presented in prescribed daily doses per thousand inhabitants per day (PDHD) for each active ingredient being calculated raw rates and age-adjusted to the variables health area, type of health zone and year of study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 462,354 prescriptions of anti-asthmatic agents were dispensed to a population of 1,580,229 persons/year. There was wide variation between areas in the type and intensity of anti-asthmatic agents used, partly explained by differences in the prevalence of asthma. Montelukast predominated as controller drug in most of them (PDHD 3.1 to 7.7), being similar the consumption intensity in the three types of health zones (PDHD 4.7 to 4.8). The annual variability was low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study describes the paediatric prescribing pattern of anti-asthmatic agents in Castilla-León between 2005-2010. It shows wide geographical variation, as well as inadequacies regarding current recommendations of asthma treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud de Venta de Baños, Venta de Baños, Palencia, España. Electronic address: casares@telefonica.net.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Casares Alonso
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud Villamuriel de Cerrato, Villamuriel de Cerrato, Palencia, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano Garcinuño
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blanco Quirós
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud Jardinillos, Palencia, España.
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; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents
keywords: Anti-asthmatic agents; Antiasmáticos; Atención primaria; Child; Dosis diaria prescrita; Drug prescriptions; Drug utilisation studies; Estudios de utilización de medicamentos; Estudios retrospectivos; Infant; Lactante; Niño; Physician's practice patterns; Prescribed daily dose; Prescripción de medicamentos; Primary care; Retrospective studies; Variaciones en la práctica clínica