Analysis of prescription pattern and guideline adherence in the management of asthma among medical institutions and physician specialties in Taiwan between 2000 and 2010.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate prescription patterns of antiasthmatic medications in ambulatory care, guideline adherence by physician specialties and medical institutions, and the rate of hospitalization and emergency department visits due to asthma exacerbation.

Methods: The ambulatory visits between 2000 and 2010 from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 were analyzed for prescription trends. Seven classes of antiasthmatic medications were identified for prescription trend analysis.