Adherence to inhaled corticosteroids in children with asthma and their parents

Poor adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) may contribute to the recent rise in asthma morbidity. In general, appropriate adherence to ICSs is a complex process that is influenced by various determinants. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that were associated with adherence to ICSs in children with asthma and their parents in a multi-ethnic population in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Two hundred and thirty-two children, aged 7-17 years, with paediatrician diagnosed asthma and their parents completed questionnaires examining socio-demographics, asthma control, knowledge of asthma and other determinants of adherence. Adherence to ICSs was assessed by self-report and pharmacy record data. We used logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with adherence to ICSs in children and parents separately. We found no differences in adherence between the different ethnic groups. In the multivariate analysis for children, well-controlled asthma (OR: 4.12; CI: 1.50-11.3) was associated with poorer adherence, whereas positive subjective view of parents (OR: 0.45; CI:0.25-0.81) and self-efficacy (OR:0.51; CI: 0.35-0.75) were inversely associated with poorer adherence. A consistent result with the multivariate models for parents was the inversely significant association between poorer adherence and positive subjective view of parents to use ICSs (OR: 0.39; CI:0.19-0.77). Regardless of ethnic background, children positively stimulated by their parents to use ICSs showed a better adherence than children who experienced less positive influences. These results emphasise the importance of involving parents in the treatment of their child's asthma in order to enhance adherence to ICSs.