Table 1 Reference algorithm used to capture COPD and asthma cases among the beneficiaries of the Regional Health Service. Lombardy, Italy

≥40 years of age

And at least one of the following criteria ^a :

≥1 hospitalizations for COPD

≥2 prescr/year of tiotropium or LABAs (in monotherapy),

LABA/ICS in fixed combinations, SABAs

≥2 prescr/year of ICS in addition to ≥2 prescr/year of

ipratropium or oxitropium

≥2 prescr/year of theophylline and ≥2 prescr/year of

any of the following drugs:beta-agonists, ipratropium, oxitropium, inhaled corticosteroids

<40 years of age

And at least one of the following criteria ^a :

Benefitted of exemption for asthma

≥1 hospitalizations for asthma

≥2 prescr/year of any of the following drugs: anti-leukotrienes, chromones,

≥2 prescr/year of any of the following drugs: SABAs, LABA/ICS fixed

combinations (only 0–19 age)

≥2 prescr/year of ICS in addition to ≥1 prescr/year of SABAs

≥2 prescr/year of ICS in addition to ≥2 prescr/year of ipratropium, oxitropium or

theophylline (only 0–19 age)

≥1 prescr/year of antibiotics (ATC: J01; only 20–39 age) in addition to at least

one of the following criteria:

≥2 prescr/year of theophylline and ≥2 prescr/year of any of the following drugs:

beta-agonists, ipratropium, oxitropium, inhaled corticosteroids

≥2 prescr/year of SABAs or LABA/ICS fixed combinations

≥2 prescr/year. of ICS in addition to ≥2 prescr/year of ipratropium or oxitropium