How do attitudes to illness and treatment compare with self-reported behaviour in predicting inhaler use in asthma?

To compare attitudes to illness and treatment with self-reported behaviour in predicting inhaler use in asthmatic patients.

In five practices, 45 patients had their β-2-agonist and steroid inhalers exchanged for Ventolin and Flixotide Accuhalers™. They completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Attitudes to Treatment for Asthma Questionnaire, and a self-report questionnaire at entry, after one month's run-in, and at three months. A nurse counted the number of doses used. Univariate analysis was performed with Accuhaler use over three months as the dependent variable. Independent variables included the questionnaire sub-scales and morbidity. Significant variables were entered into multiple linear regression.

The self-report questionnaire explained 40% of the variance of steroid use. The ATAQ relief sub-scale and morbidity explained 29% of the variance of β-2-agonist use.

Steroid inhaler use can be partly predicted by self-reported behaviour and β-2-agonist use by attitudes to inhaler treatment. These findings have implications for patient education.