Volume 19 Issue 2 June 2010Original Research
Correlates of adherence to respiratory drugs in COPD
patients
Pages 148-154
Laurent Laforesta, Francois Denisb, *Eric Van Gansea, Cecile Ritlenga, Christel Saussierc, Nadine Passantea, Gilles Devouassouxd, Gerard Chattée, Nathalie Freymondd, Yves Pachecod
a
Unité de Neuro-Pharmaco-Epidémiologie, CHU: University Hospital Lyon, Lyon, France
b
Boehringer-Ingelheim France, Reims, France
c
AFSSAPS: French Medicines Agency, Saint-Denis France
d
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Lyon Sud Hospital, Pierre Benite, France
e
Lung specialist, Caluire, France
Received 18 June 2009 • Accepted 27 December 2009 • Online 21 January 2010
Abstract
AIMS: 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 selfreport
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.
Keywords
Adherence, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, treatment, respiratory therapy, omission, interruptions,
supervision
* Corresponding author. Eric Van Ganse Tel: +33 (0) 472 129 709 Fax: +33 (0) 472 129 714 Email: eric.van-ganse@chu-lyon.fr | |
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