Medication Adherence in Asthma Management
Summary
Medication adherence in asthma management refers to the extent to which patients take inhaled therapies as prescribed, both in dose and timing. Optimal adherence to preventer inhalers, chiefly inhaled corticosteroids and combination inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β₂-agonists, is critical for maintaining stable lung function, reducing exacerbations and decreasing healthcare utilisation. Despite clear guidelines, real-world adherence remains suboptimal, driven by factors such as complex dosing regimens, inhaler technique errors, concerns about side effects, forgetfulness and social stigma. Advances in digital health, including smart inhalers, audio and motion sensors, and smartphone applications, offer new opportunities to monitor use, provide feedback and support self-management. Health professionals play a key role by simplifying regimens, reinforcing correct technique and addressing perceptual barriers to sustain long-term control and improve quality of life.
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Medication Adherence in Asthma Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in medication adherence in asthma management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Smart inhaler: An inhalation device fitted with electronic sensors to record usage data and support adherence monitoring.
Proportion of days covered (PDC): A metric for adherence, calculated as the ratio of days on which medication is available to the total days in a period.
Maintenance and reliever therapy: A treatment approach using the same inhaler combination for both regular preventive and as-needed relief doses.
Inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β₂-agonist (ICS/LABA): A combination inhaler delivering an anti-inflammatory steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator for asthma control.
References
- Effectiveness of a Maintenance and Reliever Digihaler System in Asthma: 24-Week Randomized Study (CONNECT2). The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology In Practice (2023).
- Anticipated barriers and facilitators for implementing smart inhalers in asthma medication adherence management. npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine (2023).
- Medication adherence in patients with asthma using once-daily versus twice-daily ICS/LABAs. Journal of Asthma (2019).
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