Compliance with therapy in children with respiratory diseases.
Compliance with medical treatment was evaluated in 89 children and adolescents with respiratory diseases using two methods of assessment: a double blinded covert recording of the use of an air compressor for nebulization of drugs and the determination of theophylline levels in serum. In the covert monitoring of inhalation the overall compliance with the prescribed medication was 47.6%. In the open randomized theophylline trial, 56%-71% of the patients (according to uncontrolled or controlled intake of the drug) received a dosage of theophylline which was too low to achieve a sufficient serum level in the range of 10-20 mg/l. This, however, was also due to the fact that in 72% of the cases physicians prescribed doses which were substantially below the recommended amount of drug according to age and weight. It is, therefore, concluded that compliance of medication is based on the patients adherence to the medication, to the efficacy of the drug itself and the attitude of the physician.
Alpine Children's Hospital Davos, Davos Platz, Switzerland.
M H
MH
Schöni
E
E
Horak
W H
WH
Nikolaizik
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013806:Theophylline