A review of the effects of medication delivery systems on treatment adherence in children with asthma

Background. A patient's adherence to an appropriate treatment regimen is necessary to minimize morbidity and mortality associated with childhood asthma. Many factors influence the success of treatment adherence. Objective: The goal of this article was to examine the effect of the mode of medication delivery on the success of treatment adherence in children with asthma. Methods: Relevant clinical studies were identified through a MEDLINE search of articles published from 1966 to 2002, using the search terms adherence, aerosol, asthma, children, compliance, dry powder inhaler, metered-dose inhaler, nebulizer, and pediatric. Results: A relationship seems to exist between treatment adherence and the type of medication delivery system used in childhood asthma. The highest rates of adherence appear to be associated with oral medications. Conclusions: Clinicians should consider the mode of medication delivery as 1 factor that can influence the success of treatment adherence. Copyright (C) 2003 Excerpta Medica, Inc.