Asthma control and medication adherence among asthmatic outpatients in Vietnam: A cross-sectional study

Suboptimal asthma control and medication non-adherence are common and associated with adverse disease outcomes. This study aimed to assess the medication adherence, level of asthma control, and determine factors associated with asthma control among asthmatic outpatients. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 asthmatic patients aged  12 visiting the Asthma Management Clinic at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam from April to June 2019. Data, including demographics, medication treatment and adherence, and asthma control, were collected through structured interviews and prescription review. Asthma control and medication adherence were measured using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8-items (MMAS-8), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors with asthma control. The mean age of the study participants was 59.1 years and the majority were women (67.2%). All patients were using inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing controller therapy. The proportion of patients highly adhering to prescribed medications was 34.4%. Well-controlled asthma was observed in 64.4% of patients. Age group of  60 (aOR=3.43, 95%CI 1.21-9.68), low medication adherence (aOR=2.97, 95%CI 1.40-6.30), and using medium or high dose of ICS (aOR=3.38, 95%CI 1.64-6.97; aOR=4.28, 95%CI 1.90-9.65, respectively) were associated with poorly-controlled asthma. Poorly controlled asthma was still prevalent. Patient’s age, medication adherence, and ICS dosage are some factors which healthcare providers should consider when asthma control was under expectation.