Table 1.

Factors contributing to nonadherence of asthma medications.

Previous medication exposure

Dosing frequency and regimen complexity (including polypharmacy)

Route of medication (poor inhaler technique)

Reduced medical knowledge or disease understanding

Reduced general intelligence

Preference for natural or nonpharmacological treatments

Psychopathology

Patient perception

Travel inconvenience (distance to specialist)

Long waiting times at clinic/pharmacy

Psychological outlook of patient regarding their disease

Medication side effects (cost–benefits analysis)

Medication cost/lack of insurance coverage

Improper technique

Caregiver-related factors

Relationship to patient (lack of trust)

Patient with lack of sense of control

Cultural, social, and economic barriers

Patients with difficulty understanding written directives

Lack of well written and understandable treatment plans

Based on Bender et al. [1997]; Kelloway et al. [1994]; Coutts et al. [1992]; Ingersoll and Cohen [2008]; Kang et al. [2013]; Zeiger et al. [2015]; McFadden [1995].