RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To perform a narrative review to describe and discuss potential methods and strategies for effectively assessing and dealing with poor adherence and/or misuse of inhalers in difficult-to-treat pediatric asthmatic patients. DATA SOURCES: Articles available in electronic databases, published from inception to April 2021. STUDY SELECTIONS: Relevant articles in the literature that discuss and analyze potential methods and strategies for effectively assessing and dealing with poor adherence and/or misuse of inhalers in difficult-to-treat pediatric asthmatic patients. RESULTS: Validated self-reported questionnaires, weighing inhaler canisters, and pharmacy records might be the most suitable methods for assessing adherence to inhaled controller therapy in clinical practice. Additionally, validated instruments could be used as an objective measurement of the adequacy of inhaler technique. Finally, empathy and a true and strong physician-parent/patient partnership have a more powerful influence on adherence than almost any other factor, and they are probably the most cost-effective methods not only for detecting poor adherence to controller therapy but also for dealing with and improving it. CONCLUSIONS: Failure to detect or effectively handle nonadherence and/or inhaler misuse in a patient with uncontrolled asthma can mislead clinicians into thinking that the patient is nonresponsive to the original less-intensive therapy, resulting in unneeded dosage increases and/or escalation of controller therapy to more costly medications, in some cases reaching the level of biologic therapy.
Assuntos
Antiasmáticos , Asma , Administração por Inalação , Corticosteroides/uso terapêutico , Antiasmáticos/uso terapêutico , Asma/tratamento farmacológico , Criança , Humanos , Adesão à Medicação , Nebulizadores e Vaporizadores , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Despite relatively recent advances in our understanding of the physiopathology of asthma and the availability of highly effective controller medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), currently many pediatric patients fail to control their asthma, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although some of these difficult-to-control asthmatic children have severe therapy-resistant asthma, most of them experience poor asthma control due to various modifiable factors, among which poor adherence to inhaled controller therapy and inadequate inhaler technique are the most common. Although electronic monitoring devices have been considered to be essential tools in identifying patients with severe therapy-resistant asthma, their high cost and low availability have currently limited their use in clinical practice. For these reasons, clinicians might consider using validated self-reported questionnaires and the weight of inhaler canisters and as alternative and valid options for assessing adherence to inhaled controller therapy. Furthermore, clinicians might consider adopting validated instruments as an objective measurement of the adequacy of inhaler technique. Although recognizing poor adherence does not automatically lead to improved adherence, it is usually an essential first step in effectively targeting adherence behavior, especially if the reasons for low or erratic compliance are explored by means of non-judgmental doctor-patient communication. These recommendations could assist in overcoming our inability to have pediatric asthmatic patients use ICS and in avoiding escalating their controller therapy toward more expensive medications, eventually reaching the use biologics. Promoting the rational and cost-effective use of asthma controller therapy could help to optimize the limited health resources in many LMICs.