PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Radhakrishna Panicker AU - Nermina Arifhodzic AU - Mona Al-Ahmed AU - Shahariar Huda TI - Perceptions and factors affecting poor adherence to inhaled steroids among bronchial asthma patients in Kuwait DP - 2012 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P3421 VI - 40 IP - Suppl 56 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3421.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3421.full SO - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40 AB - Background - Poor adherence to regular inhaled steroids is a cause of poor asthma control.Aim –To assess adherence to treatment, factors of poor adherence, perception on inhaled steroids among asthmatics in KuwaitDesign- Observational studySubjects-150 asthmatics (95 m,55f) 15-60 years, were recruited and followed up for 12 consecutive months from January 2009 to December and asked to fill in a questionnaire of adherence, beliefs about asthma,treatment and reasons for non adherence.Results –First 3 months, 66 (44%) were adherent to twice daily dosage,but at 12 months only 25%. More males were adherent at 3 months (63.6% vs. 36.4% p<0.05) and at 12 months (81.6% vs18.4% P<.05).Employed as compared to unemployed (p <0.05), educated up to secondary school and above, as compared to the less educated (p<0.05) were more adherent at 3 and 12 months. At 12 months, Kuwaitis were more adherent than expatriates (p<0.05).Logistic regression analysis of the beliefs for non adherence showed 52 % did not consider asthma as a serious disease. 82% stopped medicine because of fear of side effects (p<0.05). 73% were influenced by the wrong advice by relatives or friends, that long term steroids are dangerous (p<0.05). 80 (51.6%) believed tablets are less dangerous than inhalers.Conclusion:- Adherence to inhaled steroids was poor. Factors were, females, fear of side effects, influence of friends and relatives with wrong information on steroids and poor understanding about asthma.Since the employed and educated patients showed good adherence, asthma education is important in asthma management.In non-adherence, the clinician should find methods to overcome the barriers of non adherence.