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Inappropriate use of anti-asthmatic drugs in the Italian paediatric population

  • Pharmacoepidemiology and Prescription
  • Published:
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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate anti-asthmatic drug prescriptions in a large Italian paediatric population.

Methods

Prescriptions involving 417,559 children younger than 14 years old dispensed during 2000 by the retail pharmacies of 17 Italian local health units participating in the ARNO project were analysed.

Results

In the study, 92,890 children (22.2%) received at least one anti-asthmatic drug prescription. The prevalence of prescriptions was higher in children less than 1 year old, significantly decreased with increasing age, and was higher in boys than in girls. Of children treated with anti-asthmatic drugs, 71.5% received prescriptions of less than three boxes. Beclomethasone, salbutamol, flunisolide and fluticasone were the most prescribed drugs. Beclomethasone and flunisolide were prescribed mostly as nebulised suspension.

Conclusions

The data suggest that anti-asthmatic drugs are often prescribed for diseases different from asthma and that many children are exposed to treatments for which there is no evidence of efficacy.

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Acknowledgements

Antonio Clavenna holds a fellowship granted by Boehringer Ingelheim Italia. The authors would like to thank professor Giancarlo Biasini for his precious advice in reviewing the manuscript. ARNO Working Group: Veneto—Ornella Costantini, Margherita De Cal, Alberto Gris, Belluno; Piero Borin, Giovanna Pilotto, Margherita Cecchetto, Bassano; Maria Paola Cariolato, Pietro Borga, Ovest Vicentino; Roberto Gallo, Anna Maroni, Bianca Pari, Vicenza; Mara Vezzani, Sebastiana Blundo Chioggia; Olivia Basadonna, Maurizio Osti, Antonella Pedrini, Alta Padovana; Anna Maria Grion, Umberto Gallo, Francesca Bano, Michele Ragazzi, Padova; Maria Gabriella Zogno, Eva Draghi, Este; Grazia Rizzotti, Vincenzo Lolli, Adria; Luigi Mezzalira, Anna Beatrice Salmaso, Rita Fratton, Maria Font, Verona; Loretta Castellani, Francesco Binetti, Bussolengo. Toscana—Danila Garibaldi, Luisa Mazzari, Barbara Fazzi, Lucca; Paola Feroci, Filippo Bardelli, Corinna Scuffi, Pistoia; Fabio Lena, Anna Giordani, Marina Rubinelli, Maria Laura Camilli, Livorno; Gianni Grossi, Marisa Rais, Viareggio. Liguria—Mara Saglietto, Erica Magnani, Imperia. Piemonte—Clara Petraru, Chivasso.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Mother and Child Health, "Mario Negri" Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy

    Antonio Clavenna & Maurizio Bonati

  2. CINECA Centro di Calcolo Interuniversitario dell'Italia Nord-Orientale, Bologna, Italy

    Elisa Rossi, Alessandra Berti, Giorgio Pedrazzi & Marisa De Rosa

  3. Laboratory for Mother and Child Health, "Mario Negri" Institute for Pharmacological Research, via Eritrea 62 , 20157 , Milan, Italy

    Antonio Clavenna

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  1. Antonio Clavenna
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  2. Elisa Rossi
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  3. Alessandra Berti
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  4. Giorgio Pedrazzi
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  5. Marisa De Rosa
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  6. Maurizio Bonati
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and the ARNO Working Group

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Correspondence to Antonio Clavenna.

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Clavenna, A., Rossi, E., Berti, A. et al. Inappropriate use of anti-asthmatic drugs in the Italian paediatric population. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 59, 565–569 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-003-0660-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-003-0660-9

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