title: Correlates of adherence to respiratory drugs in COPD patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Neuro-Pharmaco-Epidémiologie, CHU: University Hospital Lyon, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laforest
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Denis
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Ganse
authors.forename: Cecile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ritleng
authors.forename: Christel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saussier
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Passante
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Devouassoux
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chatté
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Freymond
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pacheco
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D019141:Respiratory System Agents