Adherence to treatment by patients with asthma or COPD: Comparison between inhaled drugs and transdermal patch

SummaryAn Internet-based questionnaire study involving patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and parents of children with asthma was conducted to evaluate adherence to treatment, and convenience of inhalation and transdermal formulations. Valid responses were obtained from 1470 patients. Among asthmatic patients, the percentage of those who selected “taking as prescribed” was 52.7% for inhalant users and 83.2% for transdermal users. Among patients with COPD, the corresponding values were 54.7% and 86.6%. There was a significant difference (p