[Persistent asthma: Chronic therapy quantitative compliance in daily practice].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess, compliance with maintenance treatment in patients with persistent asthma in clinical practice.

METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional, prospective, multicenter study was conducted in metropolitan France on patients with persistent asthma under the care of a representative sample of general practitioners and pneumologists. Compliance was determined via access to the Health Insurance database allowing comparison between the actual consumption of medications and the corresponding theoretical consumption related to prescription. Additional compliance data were obtained using the validated Morisky questionnaire.

RESULTS: Eighty one physicians included 488 patients, mean age of 51 years, 55% women. The statement of consumption (SC) was available for 35% of patients however the Morisky questionnaire (present for 85% of patients) showed a similar compliance between patients with or without SC. The good compliance rate (compliance ≥80%) was observed in 51% based on the SC and in 38% based on the Morisky questionnaire. Among possible predictive factors, only obesity was associated with a bad compliance (19% vs 7%, P<0.05). Patients with poor compliances displayed more severe symptoms and a higher rate of non-control (21.7% vs 5.7%, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: The statement of consumption is a useful tool to provide quantitative measurement of compliance in daily practice.