Comparison of Two Treatment Regimens in Asthmatic Patients

Inclusion Criteria

• •Clinical diagnosis of asthma according to the WHO/GINA 2006 definition by the physicians of the Centre, backed up by detailed medical history and physical examination as well as additional spirometry and bronchodilatation test or methacholine challenge where necessary
• •Occurrence of an index event (intervention) defined as the first prescription for salmeterol or montelukast, establishing a 12-month pre-index and three consecutive 12-month post-index periods
• •At least one inhaled glucocorticosteroid prescription in the pre-index period, and at least one salmeterol/montelukast prescription depending on the arm in every post-index period