Friday 30 Nov 2007 @ 14:55
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
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NICE appraisal of inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of asthma in children under the age of 12
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently published final guidance on the use of inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of chronic asthma in children under the age of 12. This is part of the Institute’s multiple technology appraisal (STA) work programme.
NICE recommends:
• For children under the age of 12 years with chronic asthma in whom treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is considered appropriate, the least costly product that is suitable for an individual child (taking into consideration technology appraisal guidance 38 and 10), within its marketing authorisation, is recommended.
• For children under the age of 12 years with chronic asthma in whom treatment with an ICS and long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) is considered appropriate, the following apply:
- The use of a combination device within its marketing authorisation is recommended as an option
- The decision to use a combination device or the two agents in separate devices should be made on an individual basis, taking into consideration therapeutic need and the likelihood of treatment adherence
- If a combination device is chosen then the least costly device that is suitable for the individual child is recommended.
Dr Gillian Leng, Executive lead for the guideline, and deputy chief executive, NICE said: “Asthma can prevent children from doing every day activities such as playing at school, riding a bike, and even participating in organised sports. Other effects can include school absence and night disturbances. The committee has concluded that inhaled corticosteroids are both a good use of NHS resources and an effective way of controlling the symptoms of asthma and preventing severe asthma attacks.”
Notes to Editors
About NICE
1. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.
2. NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:
• public health – guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health for those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector
• health technologies – guidance on the use of new and existing medicines, treatments and procedures within the NHS
• clinical practice – guidance on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS.
About the guidance
3. The inhaled corticosteroids (children) guidance is available at www.nice.org.uk/TA131.
4. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes symptoms such as shortness of breath (dyspnoea), chest tightness, wheezing, sputum production and cough associated with variable airflow obstruction and airway hyper-responsiveness. There are approximately 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK, nearly 1 million of whom are children. Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, with a prevalence of between 17% and 23%.
NICE recommends:
• For children under the age of 12 years with chronic asthma in whom treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is considered appropriate, the least costly product that is suitable for an individual child (taking into consideration technology appraisal guidance 38 and 10), within its marketing authorisation, is recommended.
• For children under the age of 12 years with chronic asthma in whom treatment with an ICS and long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) is considered appropriate, the following apply:
- The use of a combination device within its marketing authorisation is recommended as an option
- The decision to use a combination device or the two agents in separate devices should be made on an individual basis, taking into consideration therapeutic need and the likelihood of treatment adherence
- If a combination device is chosen then the least costly device that is suitable for the individual child is recommended.
Dr Gillian Leng, Executive lead for the guideline, and deputy chief executive, NICE said: “Asthma can prevent children from doing every day activities such as playing at school, riding a bike, and even participating in organised sports. Other effects can include school absence and night disturbances. The committee has concluded that inhaled corticosteroids are both a good use of NHS resources and an effective way of controlling the symptoms of asthma and preventing severe asthma attacks.”
Notes to Editors
About NICE
1. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.
2. NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:
• public health – guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health for those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector
• health technologies – guidance on the use of new and existing medicines, treatments and procedures within the NHS
• clinical practice – guidance on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS.
About the guidance
3. The inhaled corticosteroids (children) guidance is available at www.nice.org.uk/TA131.
4. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes symptoms such as shortness of breath (dyspnoea), chest tightness, wheezing, sputum production and cough associated with variable airflow obstruction and airway hyper-responsiveness. There are approximately 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK, nearly 1 million of whom are children. Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, with a prevalence of between 17% and 23%.
