Objective: Long-term inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use in children with asthma causes serious concerns in parents, leading to treatment non-adherence. This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal anxiety and attitudes on adherence to ICS therapy in children with asthma.
Method: The patient group included the children with mild to moderate persistent asthma, aged 6-11 years. Healthy children in a similar age range were included as a control group. The patient group was divided into two categories (treatment adherent and non-adherent) according to the regularity of ICS use. All patients were assessed with Childhood-Asthma Control Test (C-ACT), and their mothers were assessed using Parent Attitude Research Instrument (PARI) and Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
Results: A total of 156 children (age: 7.4 ± 1.4 years, F/M: 71/85) with persistent asthma and 60 healthy children (age: 7.5 ± 1.3 years, F/M:25/35) were included in the study. The rate of adherence in children with asthma was 52.6%. Mothers of non-adherent patients had significantly higher BAI scores than those of the adherent patients and controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The number of mothers who indicated that they did not have enough information about asthma and treatment was also higher in the non-adherent group. PARI subtest scores were not different between the adherent and non-adherent groups.
Conclusions: In our study, it was found that mothers' anxiety levels and their knowledge about asthma and medications were associated with treatment adherence in children with asthma. Psychological and educational support to the families of children with asthma would improve their treatment adherence and efficacy.
Keywords: adherence; anxiety; asthma; attitude; children; mothers.