The use of short-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists for asthma increased among Finnish and Swedish children from 2006 to 2017.

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.

• Authors: Juho E Kivistö, Jussi Karjalainen, Heini Huhtala, Jennifer L P Protudjer
• Journal: Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) (Acta Paediatr) Vol. 109 Issue 8 Pg. 1620-1626 (08 2020) ISSN: 1651-2227 [Electronic] Norway
• PMID: 32259302 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2020 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Adrenergic Agonists
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents

Topics

• Administration, Inhalation
• Adolescent
• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Adrenergic Agonists (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Asthma (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Finland (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Sweden (epidemiology)
• Young Adult