Objective: To assess the degree of medication adherence among asthma patients and association of asthma control level with the degree of adherence.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at The Children's Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan, from January to December 2015, and comprised persistent asthma patients. Medication adherence in these paediatric subjects was assessed by using Morisky medication adherence assessment questionnaire. Children were categorised using Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines as having well-controlled, partially-controlled or uncontrolled asthma. Data was analysed using SPSS 16.
Results: Out of 310 subjects, 202(65%) were male and 108(34.83%) were female. The overall mean age was 8.9±3.5 years. Of the total, 66(21.3%) had well-controlled asthma, 71(22.9%) partially-controlled and 173(55.8%) uncontrolled. Low adherence was found in 138(44.5%) subjects, medium adherence in 71(22.9%), and high adherence in 101(32.6%). High adherence was significantly associated with well-controlled asthma (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Adherence with medication regimen was found to be necessary for obtaining maximum therapeutic benefits in children with asthma.
Keywords: Childhood asthma, Asthma control, Medication, Adherence, Assessment..