Patients' beliefs, experiences, and behaviors regarding disease and treatment can predict their adherence to medications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers from Monash University and Frankston Hospital, Victoria, Australia, surveyed 276 patients (mean age 71 years), with chronic lung conditions, about their beliefs, experiences, and adherence behaviors pertaining to their disease and the recommended treatment.
COPD was the underlying condition in the majority of patients. Results showed that 37 percent of patients reported perfect adherence to medications, while 59 percent reported low adherence.
Main predictors of adherence included patients' acceptance of the disease process and treatment recommendation, knowledge about and faith in the treatment, effective patient-clinician interaction, and routine drug therapy.
Main predictors of nonadherence included patients being confused about medication and patients varying their recommended medication based on how they are feeling. The study appears in the November issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.
News briefs from the journal CHEST, November 2005
Jennifer Stawarz
jstawarzchestnet
American College of Chest Physicians
chestnet
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