Perception of the role of inhaled corticosteroids and factors affecting compliance among asthmatic adult patients.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the patient characteristics linked with reduced adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) use.


METHODS
A prospective study of adult asthmatic patients who were prescribed with ICS and are under regular follow-up at the pulmonary outpatient clinics between June 1st, and December 31st, 2001, at King Fahad National Guard Hospital in Riyadh. All patients underwent structured interviews with an investigator.


RESULTS
Included in the study were 334 patients. Thirty eight percent (38%) of the patients reported irregular use of ICS. Factors associated with irregular ICS use were a negative perception of the role of ICS (p=0.03) and less than high school education (p=0.03). Almost 50% (169/334) of all patients had concerns regarding ICS safety resulting in reduced willingness to use them. These concerns were again significantly related to the level of education and the patient's attitude to ICS. Among the most common fears hindering regular ICS use were their potential to lead to addiction (60%) and worry from steroid side effects (41%).


CONCLUSIONS
The result of this study raises the importance of patient's education and the importance of treatment of those involved in asthma care to educate the patient and discuss with them the role of asthma medications, particularly ICS, and to correct common fears and misconceptions.
Al-Jahdali
Hamdan H
HH
Division of Pulmonary, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Jahdali@yahoo.com
Al-Zahrani
Adel I
AI
Al-Otaibi
Salihah T
ST
Hassan
Imad S
IS
Al-Moamary
Mohamad S
MS
Al-Duhaim
Ahmad S
AS
Al-Shimemeri
Abdullah A
AA
Al-Dawood
Abdulaziz S
AS
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012938:Social Perception; D016312:Treatment Refusal
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones