[Adherence to asthma therapy].

Inadequate adherence to therapy is not an uncommon problem in the management of chronic asthma. Insufficient information, unmet expectations and medication side effects are all important factors that contribute to poor adherence to therapy. In addition to optimal patient education, the use of asthma action plans (and thereby the transfer of responsibility of disease management to the patients themselves), it is important to devise an individually-tailored asthma-treatment programme which is independent of disease severity and level of control. Depending on the patient's expectation and abilities, as simple a treatment plan as possible should be devised and applied. Regular medical follow up should then focus on patient expectation, understanding of their condition and inhalation technique so that appropriate action can be taken and therapy adjustments made. Ultimately this translates into successful and cost effective asthma management.