Objective.The aim was to investigate adherence to asthmamedication treatment,medication beliefs, and asthma control in relationto asthma follow-up consultations in asthmatics in the general population. A further aim was to describe associations betweenadherence, medication beliefs, and asthma control. Method. In the population-based West Sweden Asthma Study, data allowingcalculation of adherence for 4.5 years based on pharmacy records were obtained from 165 adult asthmatics. Additional datawere collected through questionnaires and structured interviews. Results. The mean adherence value for filled prescriptions forregular asthma medication was 68% (median 55.3%) but varied over the year under study. Adherence to combination inhalerswith corticosteroids and long-acting beta2 agonists was higher than adherence to single inhalers with corticosteroids only. Morethan one-third of participants reported not having seen an asthma nurse or physician for several years. Regular asthma followupconsultations were associated with both higher adherence and the belief that asthma medication was necessary but were notassociated with asthma control. Conclusions. Adherence to asthma medication treatment was low and varied over the year understudy. The current study suggests that quality improvements in asthma care are needed if adherence to asthma medication is to beimproved.
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