RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Adherence of stable COPD patients to inhaled pharmacotherapy JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP p244 VO 38 IS Suppl 55 A1 Silvia Dumitru A1 Konstantinos Velentzas A1 Elpida Theodorakopoulou A1 Maria Harikiopoulou A1 Martha Andritsou A1 Alexia Chronaiou A1 Zafeiris Sardelis A1 Elias Kainis A1 Panagiotis Demertzis A1 Epaminondas Kosmas YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p244.abstract AB Since compliance to inhaled medications is related to a decreased risk of hospitalizations and death in COPD, we aimed to investigate the compliance of COPD patients to inhaled pharmacotherapy. We studied 208 COPD patients [age 63±8 years; 77 in stage II (37%); 112 in stage III (54%); and 19 in stage IV (9%)]. Non-compliance was defined as the incorrect use of the inhaler device, as a sporadic or prn use due to perception of no effect or due to wrong information, when patient or his caregiver declares non-compliance, and when medication is not prescribed regularly. Results are reported for Tiotropium (T), fixed combinations of either Salmeterol/Fluticasone (S/F) or Formoterol/Budesonide (F/B), and Salmeterol (S) or Formoterol (F) as single agents. Overall compliance to the above inhaled agents was 92%, 84%, 81%, 75% and 68% respectively. According to GOLD staging, compliance to T was 87% (st.II)-94% (st.III)-95% (st.IV), to S/F 78% (II)-84% (III)- 92% (IV), to F/B 78% (II)-79% (III)-100% (IV), to S 67% (II)-100% (III) and to F 61% (II)-86% (III). Major reasons for non-compliance to S/F was the incorrect technique to inhale from the Diskus (78%), to F/B the preception of no effect when inhaling from the Turbohaler (50%), while reasons for non-compliance to T were the incorrect technique of using Handihaler (36%), no purchase or prescription renewal (36%) and sporadic use (28%). We conclude that compliance rates were higher for Tiotropium and the fixed combination of Salmeterol/Fluticasone. There was an increasing compliance in relation to COPD severity, while the detected reasons of poor compliance should be tackled through a more effective contact between COPD patients and their physicians.