Background: The adherence level of Asthma therapy is low. We provide a literature overview about the determinants of adherence in asthma therapy, and potential options that lead to an improvement of adherence. We also discuss cost issues of poor adherence.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted and 53 articles were identified.
Results: The most prominent driving factors of adherence are patient beliefs, comorbidities, physician-patient relationship, and medication regimen. The cost effectiveness of adherence improving measures has yet to be shown.
Conclusion: As asthma control is primarily depended on adherence, cost effective adherence programs need to be developed that respond to patients' individual needs.
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.