Adherence to treatment in allergic respiratory diseases

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are chronic conditions in which management needs adherence to prescribed drugs. Despite the benefits of regular maintenance of asthma and AR therapy, low adherence is a frequent issue in clinical practice.

Areas covered: The aim of this review is to provide a targeted analysis of the more recent literature on adherence in asthma and AR, focused on the following areas: adherence extent, barriers and consequences, effects of educational interventions and use of new technologies to improve the level of adherence.

Expert commentary: Despite the extent, reasons and effects of this problem being well known, non-adherence in asthma and allergic AR remains worryingly high. Poor adherence leads to unsatisfactory health outcomes, with a negative impact on patients and society. Recent literature suggests that successful programs to improve adherence should include a combination of strategies. The new technologies represent a promising tool to improve adherence.

KEYWORDS:

• Adherence
• allergic rhinitis
• asthma
• education
• new technologies

Acknowledgments

The Authors would like to thank Interasma (Global Asthma Associations – AAA) and Interasma European Scientific Network (INESnet) for technical support.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewers disclosure

One reviewer started an adherence promoting company. The remaining peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.