Understanding Patient Perspectives on Medication Adherence in Asthma: A Targeted Review of Qualitative Studies

摘要: Adherence to asthma medications is generally poor and undermines clinical outcomes. Poor adherence characterized by underuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), often accompanied over-reliance on short-acting β2-agonists for symptom relief. To identify drivers medication adherence, a targeted literature search was performed in MEDLINE EMBASE articles presenting qualitative data evaluating patients (≥12 years old), published from January 1, 2012 February 26, 2018. A thematic analysis 21 relevant revealed several key themes driving including asthma-specific more general common chronic diseases. Due the episodic nature asthma, many felt that their daily life not substantially impacted; consequently, harbored doubts about accuracy diagnosis or were denial impact disease and, turn, need long-term treatment. This further compounded patient-physician communication, which contributed suboptimal knowledge medications, lack understanding distinction between maintenance reliever inhalers, inhaler technique, concerns ICS side effects. Other included high cost medication, forgetfulness, embarrassment over use public. Overall, patients' perceived concerns, part due emerged as adherence. Optimal care management should therefore target these barriers through effective patient- physician-centered strategies.