Characteristics of patients preferring once-daily controller therapy for asthma and COPD: a retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Patient preference is an important factor when choosing an inhaler device for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

AIMS:

To identify characteristics of patients with asthma or COPD who prefer a once-daily controller medication regimen.

METHODS:

This retrospective observational study used electronic patient records and linked outcomes from patient-completed questionnaires in a primary care database. We compared the characteristics of patients indicating a preference for once-daily therapy with those who were unsure or indicating no preference.

RESULTS:

Of 3,731 patients with asthma, 2,174 (58%) were women; the mean age was 46 years (range 2-94). Of 2,138 patients with COPD, 980 (46%) were women; the mean age was 70 years (range 35-98). Approximately half of the patients in each cohort indicated once-daily preference, one-quarter were unsure, and one-quarter did not prefer once-daily therapy. In patients with asthma or COPD, the preference for once-daily controller medication was significantly associated with poor adherence and higher concerns about medication. In asthma, good control and low self-perceived controller medication need were associated with once-daily preference. By contrast, in COPD, a high self-perceived need for controller medication was associated with once-daily preference. There was no significant relationship between once-daily preference and age, sex, disease severity, or exacerbation history.

CONCLUSIONS:

Understanding patient preferences may help prescribers to individualise therapy better for asthma and COPD.

• Authors: David Price, Amanda J Lee, Erika J Sims, Linda Kemp, Elizabeth V Hillyer, Alison Chisholm, Julie von Ziegenweidt, Angela Williams
• Journal: Primary care respiratory journal : journal of the General Practice Airways Group (Prim Care Respir J) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 161-8 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1475-1534 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23460035 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Asthmatic Agents
• Bronchodilator Agents

Topics

• Administration, Inhalation
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Asthma (drug therapy, psychology)
• Bronchodilator Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Medication Adherence (psychology, statistics & numerical data)
• Middle Aged
• Patient Preference (psychology, statistics & numerical data)
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (drug therapy, psychology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Young Adult