Inhalation Instructions in Asthma Pharmaceutical Care Clinic:

Factors Affecting Adherence to Inhalation Therapy in Outpatients with Asthma

Abstract

Continual long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids is crucial for asthma treatment, and poor medication adherence can lead to the exacerbation of asthma. However, medication adherence is difficult to secure in patients with chronic diseases such as asthma. To identify the factors influencing medication adherence in patients with asthma, we analyzed the relationship between the different factors evaluated during counseling and medication adherence. We found a significant positive correlation between medication adherence and inhalation technique, medication insight, and illness insight. No correlation was observed between medication adherence and the state of asthma control. These results suggest that patients who use an incorrect inhalation technique or have an insufficient understanding about the medication and pathology of asthma have poor medication adherence. Even though the patients' asthma was well-controlled, their adherence was poor, indicating that self-judgment by patients with asthma results in not only a decreased frequency, but also discontinuation of inhalation treatment. In conclusion, it is necessary to identify patients with poor adherence by regularly counseling patients with asthma, regardless of the state of asthma control; furthermore, the inhalation technique, medication insight, and illness insight should be reconfirmed in order to improve medication adherence in these patients.