Related Experiment Videos
Compliance with oral theophylline therapy in asthmatic children
Insights
Most children on theophylline therapy for wheezing showed good medication compliance. Factors like primary care source and caretaker relationship influenced adherence to theophylline treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Theophylline is a common medication for managing pediatric wheezing.
- Medication adherence is crucial for effective asthma management in children.
- Assessing theophylline compliance is important for treatment success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the compliance rates of children receiving continuous theophylline therapy for wheezing.
- To identify factors associated with theophylline medication adherence in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum theophylline levels were measured in 111 children presenting with acute wheezing.
- Compliance was determined based on a threshold serum theophylline level (< 5 micrograms/mL).
- Patient and caretaker interviews were conducted to gather data on potential influencing factors.
Main Results:
- 66% of children demonstrated at least partial compliance with theophylline therapy.
- 34% of patients were classified as noncompliant based on serum theophylline levels.
- Primary care source, appointment keeping difficulties, and caretaker relationship were significant factors associated with compliance.
Conclusions:
- A majority of children on theophylline therapy exhibit adequate medication adherence.
- Healthcare system factors and caretaker dynamics play a role in theophylline compliance.
- Interventions targeting these factors may improve therapeutic outcomes for pediatric wheezing.
Abstract:
Serum theophylline levels were obtained from 111 children on continuous theophylline therapy when seen in the emergency department for acute episodes of wheezing. Sixty-six percent of patients were at least partially compliant and only 34% were noncompliant in medication taking on the basis of a serum theophylline level of less than 5 micrograms/mL. The main factors associated with compliance were type of primary care source, whether the patient had difficulty keeping appointments, and the relationship of the caretaker to the patient.