KUMJ | VOL. 13 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 49 | JAN-MAR, 2015
A Cross-Sectional Study of Medication Adherence Pattern and Factors Affecting the Adherence in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Shrestha R, Pant A, Shakya Shrestha S, Shrestha B, Gurung RB, Karmacharya BM
Abstract: Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered as a major health
problem, associated with mortality and morbidities. Various disease management
strategies have been established to optimize patient’s longevity and functional
status where patient adherence to the prescribed treatment plays a key role. Poor
adherence to medication is common among COPD patients and is affected by number
of factors like number of medicines, delivery devices and patient-related factors.
Objective
This study aims to investigate the adherence pattern in the management of COPD
and factors affecting patient adherence to the prescribed treatment.
Method
This study is a cross-sectional study which was conducted in a tertiary care hospital.
Those patients suffering from COPD of all age were enrolled in this study and prior
informed consent was obtained from patients. The structured questionnaire was
used to interview those patients.
Result
Total 100 patients were enrolled in this study, among which most patients (45%) were
of age groups 60-70 years. Unintentional non-adherence to medication attributed for
65% of patients and the major reason was forgetfulness (52.3%). Most patients had
discontinued the medication due to experience of side effects (63.3%). The result
showed significant association between adherence and polypharmacy (p=0.00).
However, there was no significant association between adherence and age, sex,
mode of administration of drugs, technics to use delivery devices etc.
Conclusion
Majority of COPD patients were elderly (mean age= 68.4 years). Forgetfulness was
associated with medication non-adherence. Most of the patients had discontinued
medication because of side effects. Polypharmacy is one of the major factors
associated with non-adherence to medication in COPD.
Keyword : Adherence, COPD, Dhulikhel Hospital, non-adherence, polypharmacy
