RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The relationship between clinical outcomes and medication adherence in difficult-to-control asthma
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 751
OP 753
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-201096
VO 67
IS 8
A1 Anna C Murphy
A1 Amandine Proeschal
A1 Christopher E Brightling
A1 Andrew J Wardlaw
A1 Ian Pavord
A1 Peter Bradding
A1 Ruth H Green
YR 2012
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/67/8/751.abstract
AB Medication non-adherence and the clinical implications in difficult-to-control asthma were audited. Prescription issue data from 115 patients identified sub-optimal adherence (<80%) in 65% of patients on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) or combined ICS/long-acting β2 agonist (LABA). In those using separate ICS and LABA, adherence to LABA (50%) was significantly better than to ICS (14.3%). Patients with sub-optimal ICS adherence had reduced FEV1 and higher sputum eosinophil counts. Adherence ratio was an independent predictor of previous ventilation for acute severe asthma (p=0.008). The majority of patients with difficult-to-control asthma are non-adherent with their asthma medication. Non-adherence is correlated with poor clinical outcomes.