Correlates of adherence to respiratory drugs in COPD patients.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the correlates of accidental omissions and intentional interruptions of respiratory therapy in COPD.


METHODS
COPD patients (GOLD stages II-IV) were recruited by general practitioners or respiratory physicians. Patients reported in self-report questionnaires their adherence to respiratory drugs (over the past three months) and their perception of therapy.


RESULTS
179 patients were included (mean age 63 years, 24% females). 45% forgot their respiratory therapy, while 30% interrupted it in the absence of any perceived benefit. The risks of accidental omissions were significantly higher when patients complained about having too many medications to take on a daily basis (OR=2.35; 95%CI=1.13-4.89), and among current smokers (OR=2.14; 95%CI=1.07-4.29). Females were more likely to interrupt therapy intentionally (OR=2.40; 95%CI=1.04-5.53). Surprisingly, there was no significant relationship with the number of drugs actually taken by patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Adherence to respiratory drugs is inadequate in COPD patients. In order to improve adherence, patients' perception of the burden of therapy should not be overlooked.
Laforest
Laurent
L
Unité de Neuro-Pharmaco-Epidémiologie, CHU: University Hospital Lyon, Lyon, France.
Denis
Francois
F
Van Ganse
Eric
E
Ritleng
Cecile
C
Saussier
Christel
C
Passante
Nadine
N
Devouassoux
Gilles
G
Chatté
Gerard
G
Freymond
Nathalie
N
Pacheco
Yves
Y
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking
D019141:Respiratory System Agents