title: Factors associated with medication adherence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Predictors of medication adherence are not well known in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is therefore necessary to identify factors associated with adherence to improve the effectiveness of COPD management within real-world situations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goals of this study were to estimate adherence to respiratory medication and to identify factors related to adherence in COPD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational, cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of COPD outpatients. The following information was obtained: adherence to respiratory therapy (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale), age, gender, smoking status, COPD severity [Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage], lung function [post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1))], treatment regimen for COPD, COPD medication costs per month paid by the patient and health-related quality of life (EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors of adherence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 170 participants (mean age 63.8 years, 41.8% male), 58.2% reported optimal adherence. Adherence to respiratory therapy was associated with age, current smoking status, number of respiratory drugs, number of daily respiratory drug doses and quality of life (p < 0.005). Adherence to respiratory therapy was not related to gender, GOLD stage, FEV(1) or COPD medication costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adherence to COPD medication regimens is poor. Less frequent dosing regimens could be an effective method to enhance adherence to respiratory therapy. Quality-of-life monitoring within clinical practice settings could facilitate improved medication adherence.
authors: University Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Administration, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. aghtamas@t-email.hu
authors: Tamás
authors: T
authors: Ágh
authors: András
authors: A
authors: Inotai
authors: Ágnes
authors: Á
authors: Mészáros
mesh_terms: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents