Cognitive and Emotional Factors Relation to Treatment Adherence in Asthmatic Patients in Upper Egypt

Cognitive and Emotional Factors Relation to Treatment Adherence in Asthmatic Patients in Upper Egypt

Non-adherence to controller therapy is one of the main reasons of poor asthma control. Adherence to medication in different studies range between 30 and 70% . Several factors related to the disease, to the patient, treatment or physician- patient relationship

Non-adherence to controller therapy is one of the main reasons for poor asthma control. Adherence to medication in different studies ranges between 30 and 70%. Several factors related to the disease, to the patient, treatment, or physician-patient relationship have been identified to be related to adherence in asthma and other diseases. According to the self-regulation theory, medication beliefs and illness perception are associated with treatment adherence. Beliefs about illness, the necessity, and the concerns (addition and side effects) of the treatment have been identified as the two most important elements in the proposed theory. Other factors that impact treatment adherence are the perceived efficacy of medicines, cost of therapy, complex dosing regimens, Patient's level of education, and cultural beliefs. Evaluating the beliefs about asthma medication, and cognitive and emotional perceptions may help to identify patients with poor adherence to treatment in clinical practice. That would guide additional attention helping to increase the likelihood of taking asthma medication appropriately. However, only limited information is available on treatment adherence in Egyptian people especially in upper Egypt. Furthermore, evidence identifying medication beliefs, and cognitive or emotional factors associated with asthma medication adherence among Egyptian people in upper Egypt is currently not available

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Able to understand and provide informed consent.
2. Age ≥18y at the time of study enrollment.
3. Provider diagnosed asthma and prescribed maintenance ICS treatment and as needed bronchodilator for at least one month

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any other medical condition that confers greater illness morbidity than asthma (e.g., active cancer)
2. Severe psychopathology (e.g., schizophrenia)
3. Apparent cognitive or language deficit
4. Patients with associated other chronic chest diseases