Patient-Provider Communication

Surprising Statistics: Adherence to Asthma Therapies

 

  • An estimated 50% of medications prescribed for asthma are taken by patients1
  • 82% of patients with asthma fail to refill prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids2
  • 11% of patients in clinical trials used less than 80% of their medications3
  • Poor adherence is linked with outcomes such as mortality, asthma symptoms, direct and indirect costs and quality of life4
  • Asthma treatment adherence tends to be poor with rates of < 50% in children and 30-70% in adults depending on patient specific factors such as4
    • Age
    • Sex
    • Ethnicity
    • Country
  • Data suggests higher level of adherence is associated with reduced risk of severe asthma exacerbation4
  • Trustworthy, strong patient provider relationship is needed for improvement of adherence rates through which providers must recognize and incorporate patient preferences5

References:

  1. Bender B, et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1997;79(3):177-185.
  2. Williams LK, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;120(5):1153-1159.
  3. Bateman ED, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;170(8):836-844.
  4. Engelkes M et al. Eur Respir Journal. 2015;45:396-407.
  5. Gillissen A. J of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2007;58 (Supp 5):205-222.