[Treatment understanding and compliance in asthma of children. Results of a prospective survey].
Compliance with treatment is a crucial factor in the management of asthmatic children which depends on the understanding of the disease and its treatment. The understanding of, and compliance with treatment were evaluated by means of a questionnaire in 50 parents of asthmatic children. 50% of these parents used anti-histamines as maintenance treatment and 30% also used these drugs during attacks. Half the parents knew about the bronchodilator effects of theophylline and B2-agonists. 42% and 30% respectively of the parents thought that the side-effects of theophylline or corticosteroids were few or inexistent; 86% claimed regular attendance to out-patient clinics, but 30% confessed that they had forgotten such drugs as theophylline and antihistamines. 50% took the appropriate therapeutic measures when confronted with a moderate or severe attack of asthma. Each child received 2.3 drugs on average for his or her asthma. This study shows that parents have an insufficient knowledge of asthma treatments, and this may partially explain the poor compliance with therapy as well as the morbidity and mortality associated with childhood asthma.
Service de Pneumologie pédiatrique, Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris.
B
B
Fauroux
J
J
Just
J
J
Couvreur
A
A
Grimfeld
G
G
Tournier
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006306:Health Surveys; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D013806:Theophylline; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium
Connaissance et adhésion au traitement de l'asthme de l'enfant: résultats d'une enquête prospective.