Factors associated with levels of adherence to inhaled corticosteroids in minority adolescents with asthma.

Background: Nonadherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is a significant risk factor for poor asthma outcomes in minority adolescents with persistent asthma.

Objective: To identify factors associated with nonadherence to daily ICS in this target population.

Methods: Adolescents 11 to 16 years old, self-identified as African American or Hispanic, diagnosed with persistent asthma and with an active prescription for daily ICS were invited to participate. Participant adherence to ICS was electronically measured during 14 days. Concurrently, participants completed the following assessments: demographic information, asthma history, asthma control, asthma exacerbations, media use, depression, asthma knowledge, ICS knowledge, and ICS self-efficacy. Of the 93 subjects, 68 had low (<48%) adherence and 25 had high (>48%) adherence.

Results: Older age and low ICS knowledge each were associated with low (≤48%) adherence (P < .01 for the 2 variables).

Conclusion: Older age and low ICS knowledge each may be associated with poor adherence to ICS in minority adolescents with persistent asthma. Although older age often is associated with the assignment of increased responsibility for medication-taking behavior, it may not be associated with increased adherence. Continued and expanded efforts at promoting asthma education and specifically knowledge of ICS may increase adherence to ICS.