Treatment adherence among low-income children with asthma.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the adherence behaviors (MDI use, MDI/spacer technique, appointment attendance, smoking in the home) of low-income, urban, primarily African American children with asthma.

METHOD

Participants were 55 children ages 6 to 17 with moderate to severe asthma. Adherence to MDI anti-inflammatory agents was estimated primarily from canister weight at the follow-up appointment.

RESULTS

The mean use of MDI medication was 44% of prescribed use, with 27% of subjects demonstrating MDI/spacer technique likely to prevent drug delivery. Almost half reported that household members smoked cigarettes, and 21% missed scheduled follow-up appointments.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings have implications for how clinicians should assess and improve adherence.