Predictors of adherence to treatment in patients with severe asthma treated at a referral center in Bahia, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the rate of adherence to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids in patients with severe asthma, to identify predictive factors for adherence and to evaluate the relationship between adherence to treatment and parameters of clinical and functional response.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study of patients enrolled in the Program for the Control of Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The study comprised 160 patients with severe asthma, monitored for 180 days in order to evaluate adherence (dependent variable) to the prescribed inhaled corticosteroid. Independent variables were assessed at baseline and for a six-month follow-up period by means of interviews and the completion of a standardized questionnaire.Patients recorded the missed doses in a diary.


RESULTS
Of the 160 patients. 158 completed the study. Adherence rate was 83.8%. Of the 158 patients, 112 (70.9%) were considered adherent (cut-off point: 80% of prescribed doses administered). There was a significant association between asthma control and adherence to treatment.Predictors of poor adherence were adverse effects, living far from the referral center, limited resources to pay for transportation and dose schedule. Other factors, such as depressive symptoms, religion and economic status, were not associated with poor adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
Adherence to asthma treatment was high and was associated with the clinical response to treatment, in a sample of patients with severe asthma enrolled in a public program that provides free medication and the assistance of a multiprofessional specialized team in a referral center.
Santos
Pablo de Moura
Pde M
Programa de Controle da Asma e da Rinite Alérgica, Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil. pablomoura25@yahoo.com.br
D'Oliveira
Argemiro
A
Noblat
Lúcia de Araújo Costa Beisl
Lde A
Machado
Adelmir Souza
AS
Noblat
Antonio Carlos Beisl
AC
Cruz
Alvaro Augusto
AA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001938:Brazil; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013147:Spirometry; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents