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Review
. 2023 Jul-Dec;17(7):539-546.
doi: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2239708. Epub 2023 Jul 28.

Up-to-date guidance towards improving medication adherence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Meredith A Case  1 , Michelle N Eakin  1
Affiliations
Review

Up-to-date guidance towards improving medication adherence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Meredith A Case et al. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2023 Jul-Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Despite efficacious treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), medication adherence remains quite poor, with most estimates based on electronic monitoring devices ranging from 20-30%. This degree of nonadherence represents a significant missed opportunity to realize the benefits of treatment of this disease.

Areas covered: In this article, we review research on the prevalence of nonadherence among patients with COPD, the association of nonadherence with health outcomes, barriers to adherence in this patient population, and potential interventions.

Expert opinion: Integrating research into practice involves assessing patients' adherence, identifying modifiable barriers to adherence, open discussion of these barriers with patients, and tailored interventions to address them. These interventions may include treatment of previously unrecognized comorbid disease, providing educational or behavioral interventions, optimizing prescribing strategies, use of adherence aids, or addressing cost and other access barriers. Electronic inhaler monitors are promising interventions for both monitoring and improving adherence. However, remaining concerns about integration into patient care, data management, cost, acceptability, and ethical and privacy issues must be overcome prior to their implementation in clinical practice.

Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; digital health; electronic monitors; medication adherence; medication compliance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

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