• Siebrig Schokker, Feikje Groenhof, Willem Jan van der Veen, and Thys van der Molen.
• Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands. s.schokker@med.umcg.nl
• Prim Care Respir J. 2010 Mar 1;19(1):28-34.

ObjectiveTo evaluate prescriptions of asthma medication for children in primary care.MethodsData on prescriptions of asthma medication for children aged 0-9 years were collected from a general practice-based network in the north eastern part of the Netherlands. Prevalence, incidence, indications, continuation beyond the age of 6 years, and predictors of continuation, were determined.ResultsPrevalence of prescriptions was about 80 per 1000 person years. An asthma diagnosis was registered in 40% of the children with a first prescription and in 70% of the children with six or more prescriptions. Discontinuation of asthma medication was between 60 and 90%. Continuation was more likely in children with a first prescription at age 2 or 3 as compared to children starting treatment at age < or =1 year. Children with prescriptions for beta2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids were more likely to continue treatment than children with beta2-agonist monotherapy prescriptions.ConclusionContinuation of asthma medication in children is low. Age at first prescription and the type of asthma medication are predictors of continuation of asthma medication from preschool into school-age.

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