Factors associated with inhaled corticosteroids prescription in primary care patients with COPD: A cross-sectional study in the Balearic Islands (Spain).

Background: There is a worldwide over-prescription of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), off-label prescribing, and unnecessary prescription of high doses.

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the prescription rate of ICS and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with ICS prescription among patients with COPD, treated in Balearic primary healthcare.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included all patients with a clinical COPD diagnosis, who attended a primary care centre of the Balearic Islands (Spain) during 2012.