A prospective study to evaluate the medication adherence in COPD patients in a teritiary care centre

BACKGROUND: The third greatest cause of mortality globally, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects approximately 390 million individuals. For patients with COPD, medication adherence is essential to increasing quality of life, lowering hospitalizations, exacerbations, and medical expenses. Reduced quality of life, exacerbations, and the advancement of the disease can result from noncompliance with medication, including bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids. Finding adherence obstacles such as socioeconomic limitations, adverse effects, or a lack of education might help direct actions to increase compliance.

METHOD: At baseline, we used a standardized adherence scale to evaluate medication adherence in 100 COPD patients. Patient information leaflets outlining the significance of medications and methods for overcoming typical obstacles were distributed in an effort to increase adherence. The efficiency of the instructional materials was tested by reassessing adherence after two months.

RESULTS: Medication adherence at baseline was 4.51±1.78, but at follow-up, it improved to 6.20±1.83 (t=7.214, p<0.001), a statistically significant change. 

CONCLUSION: At first, the majority of patients had low to medium adherence; 39 patients had medium adherence and 61 patients had low adherence. Adherence improved after the intervention, and at follow-up, 23 patients showed high adherence. This change illustrates how well patient counseling and educational techniques work to increase COPD patients’ adherence to their medication.