Objective.The aim was to investigate adherence to asthma medication treatment, medication beliefs, and asthma control in relation\nto asthma follow-up consultations in asthmatics in the general population. A further aim was to describe associations between\nadherence, medication beliefs, and asthma control. Method. In the population-based West Sweden Asthma Study, data allowing\ncalculation of adherence for 4.5 years based on pharmacy records were obtained from 165 adult asthmatics. Additional data\nwere collected through questionnaires and structured interviews. Results. The mean adherence value for filled prescriptions for\nregular asthma medication was 68% (median 55.3%) but varied over the year under study. Adherence to combination inhalers\nwith corticosteroids and long-acting beta2 agonists was higher than adherence to single inhalers with corticosteroids only. More\nthan one-third of participants reported not having seen an asthma nurse or physician for several years. Regular asthma follow up\nconsultations were associated with both higher adherence and the belief that asthma medication was necessary but were not\nassociated with asthma control. Conclusions. Adherence to asthma medication treatment was low and varied over the year under\nstudy. The current study suggests that quality improvements in asthma care are needed if adherence to asthma medication is to be\nimproved.
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