Preferential prescribing of oral corticosteroids in Irish male asthmatic children

Aims To determine if there is a gender difference in the prescription of or al corticosteroids in asthmatic children (< 15 years). Methods 8072 asthmatics were identified on the basis that they received a p rescription for either an inhaled P-adrenoceptor agonist, an inhaled cortic osteroid, inhaled cromoglycate/nedocromil sodium, oral xanthines or leukotr iene antagonist. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were de termined for the different asthma treatments for males compared with female s. Results and conclusions Male asthmatic children were more likely (OR = 1.37 , 95% CI = 1.21,1.55, P<0.001) to receive a prescription for an oral cortic osteroid compared with their female counterparts suggesting a possible incr eased severity of their condition, rather than a different management of th eir disease. Male asthmatic children were less likely to be prescribed an a ntibiotic over the study period (OR = 0.85, 95% Cl = 0.77, 0.93, P<0.001).