TY - JOUR T1 - Reasons for inhaled corticosteroid non-adherence disclosed by African American adults during primary care visits for uncontrolled asthma JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2020.5168 VL - 56 IS - suppl 64 SP - 5168 AU - Maureen George AU - Ani Bilazarian AU - Annie Chung AU - Katherine South AU - Allison Norful Y1 - 2020/09/07 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/56/suppl_64/5168.abstract N2 - Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the foundation of asthma management. However, ICS adherence is low in all groups. African Americans (AA) have lower ICS adherence than Whites, which likely contributes, in part, to the asthma disparities that AAs experience. Aims/Objectives: To identify reasons for ICS non-adherence disclosed by AA adults during primary care provider (PCP) visits for uncontrolled asthma.Methods: Audio recordings of 80 clinical visits were inductively coded by 2 independent researchers using grounded theory methodology where codes were categorized, and themes emerged. Thematic findings were discussed until consensus was reached.Results: Three themes emerged from the analysis of audio recordings of 80 visits with AA adults (82% female; mean age 45). Personal misconceptions include erroneous beliefs about ICS purpose and suspicions about PCPs motivation for prescribing ICS. Management confusion reflects misunderstandings about ICS need, dosing frequency, and inability to differentiate between ICS and rescue inhalers. The theme external influence captures concerns raised by direct-to-consumer advertising and prescription access barriers.Conclusions: Reasons for ICS non-adherence disclosed by AA adults with uncontrolled asthma offer potential targets for interventions that facilitate enhanced adherence. Presenting with uncontrolled asthma should prompt PCPs to assess patient beliefs, knowledge and ICS adherence. While patient education is necessary it likely will not be enough to address erroneous beliefs and suspicions which may require patient-centered strategies such as shared decision-making and patient engagement.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 5168.This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only). ER -