Predictors of treatment adherence among asthma patients in the emergency department

This study examined predictors of treatment adherence among 120 adult patients with asthma at two emergency departments (EDs). Structured medical chart reviews were performed for characteristics hypothesized to be associated with treatment adherence difficulties. Sixty percent of subjects had evidence of nonadherence with asthma treatment. Several variables were associated with nonadherence including younger age, more utilization of ED services (more ED visits, using the ED for medication refills), certain treatment characteristics (receiving more medications in the ED, not being prescribed prednisone at discharge), and not keeping post-discharge follow-up appointments. Further research should be directed at enhancing self-management skills and decreasing inappropriate ED use among nonadherent patients.