The use of short-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists for asthma increased among Finnish and Swedish children from 2006 to 2017
- 1 August 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Acta Paediatrica
- Vol. 109 (8), 1620-1626
- https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15288
Abstract
Aim Paediatric asthma hospitalisation has decreased in Finland, but has remained stable in Sweden. The reasons for these intercountry differences are unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the trend of dispensed asthma medication, including inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), among paediatric populations in the two countries. Methods We explored trends in dispensed asthma medication among paediatric populations aged 0-19 in Finland and Sweden from 2006 to 2017. The Finnish Statistics on Reimbursements for Prescription Medicines and The Swedish Prescribed Drug Register provided data on all dispensed asthma prescriptions. Results During the study period, the prevalence of dispensed ICS in paediatric populations was fairly stable in Finland and Sweden. Among children aged 0-4, ICS were 1.5 times more commonly dispensed in Sweden than in Finland. The prevalence of children dispensed short-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists (SABA) increased in both countries, but rose more in Finland (51%) than in Sweden (27%). Conclusion Inhaled corticosteroids were more commonly dispensed for children aged 0-4 in Sweden than in Finland during the study period. This study showed an increasing prevalence of children dispensed SABA in Finland and Sweden, particularly in Finland. Differences and trends in asthma medication may effect asthma hospitalisation and asthma deaths.Keywords
Funding Information
- Suomen Lääketieteen Säätiö
- Väinö ja Laina Kiven Säätiö
- Tampereen Tuberkuloosisäätiö
- Suomen Tuberkuloosin Vastustamisyhdistyksen Säätiö
- Maud Kuistilan Muistosäätiö
- Jalmari ja Rauha Ahokkaan Säätiö
This publication has 32 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effect of Inhaled Glucocorticoids in Childhood on Adult HeightThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2012
- Salbutamol with metered dose inhalers with spacers - an established emergency treatment for preschool wheezeActa Paediatrica, 2012
- Allergy in children: practical recommendations of the Finnish Allergy Programme 2008-2018 for prevention, diagnosis, and treatmentPediatric Allergy and Immunology, 2012
- The Nordic Countries as a Cohort for Pharmacoepidemiological ResearchBasic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 2010
- Asthma mortality among Swedish children and young adults, a 10-year studyRespiratory Medicine, 2008
- Medication use in children with asthma in Finland from 1995 to 2006Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2008
- Global strategy for asthma management and prevention: GINA executive summaryEuropean Respiratory Journal, 2008
- The new Swedish Prescribed Drug Register—Opportunities for pharmacoepidemiological research and experience from the first six monthsPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 2006
- Asthma hospitalizations continue to decrease in schoolchildren but hospitalization rates for wheezing illnesses remain high in young childrenActa Paediatrica, 2002
- Decrease in hospitalization for treatment of childhood asthma with increased use of antiinflammatory treatment, despite an increase in the prevalence of asthmaJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1996