PATIENT BELIEFS AND EXPERIENCES PREDICT ADHERENCE TO COPD MEDICATION

Patients' beliefs, experiences, and behaviors regarding disease and treatment can predict their adherence to medications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers from Monash University and Frankston Hospital, Victoria, Australia, surveyed 276 patients (mean age 71 years), with chronic lung conditions, about their beliefs, experiences, and adherence behaviors pertaining to their disease and the recommended treatment. COPD was the underlying condition in the majority of patients. Results showed that 37 percent of patients reported perfect adherence to medications, while 59 percent reported low adherence. Main predictors of adherence included patients' acceptance of the disease process and treatment recommendation, knowledge about and faith in the treatment, effective patient-clinician interaction, and routine drug therapy. Main predictors of nonadherence included patients being confused about medication and patients varying their recommended medication based on how they are feeling. The study appears in the November issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.

BLEACHING AGENTS PUT HAIR STYLISTS AT RISK FOR RESPIRATORY DISEASE

Exposure to persulphate salts in hair bleaching agents may lead to occupational asthma and rhinitis in hair stylists, shows a new study. Italian researchers performed allergy tests, lung function tests, and specific inhalation challenge (SIC) on 47 hair stylists (mean age 25), suspected of having occupational asthma. Average overall duration of exposure to persulphate salts was seven years. Results showed that 51.1 percent of patients were diagnosed with occupational asthma, of which 87.5 percent of the cases were attributed to persulphate salts, 8.3 percent to permanent hair dyes, and 4.2 percent to latex. In addition, 54.2 percent of patients were diagnosed with occupational rhi
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Contact: Jennifer Stawarz
jstawarz@chestnet.org
847-498-8306
American College of Chest Physicians
7-Nov-2005