Effectiveness of Text Message Reminders on Adherence to Inhaled Therapy in Patients With Asthma : Prospective Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

Poor adherence to inhaled medication in asthma patients is of great concern. It is one of the main reasons for inadequate asthma control. The goal of the research was to determine if motivational messages using short message service (SMS, or text) improved adherence to inhaled medication in patients with asthma. A prospective multicenter randomized parallel-group clinical trial was conducted in 10 asthma clinics in Spain. Adherence was assessed with electronic monitors (Smartinhaler, Adherium Ltd) connected to inhalers. Patients in the SMS group received psychologist-developed motivational messages every 3 days for 6 months. There were 53 patients in the SMS group and 88 patients in the control group. After 6 months, mean electronic adherence was 70% (SD 17%) in the intervention group and 69% (SD 17%) in the control group (P =.82). Significant differences between the study groups in morning and evening adherence to inhaled therapy, asthma control, exhaled nitric oxide levels, or improvement of lung functions were not observed. Motivational messages were not useful to improve adherence to inhaled asthma medication compared with usual care

Is asthma in the elderly different? Functional and clinical characteristics of asthma in individuals aged 65 years and older

Abstract Background The prevalence of chronic diseases in the elderly (> 65 years), including asthma, is growing, yet information available on asthma in this population is scarce. Our objective is to determine the differential clinical and functional characteristics of the population > 65 years old with asthma included in the Integrated Research Programs of Asthma Databank of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (www.bancodatosasma.com). Methods Retrospective comparative descriptive study of demographic, clinical and functional variables for 1713 patients with asthma categorized into 3 age groups as follows: adults aged  65 is more severe and associated with greater comorbidity, which would indicate the need for a more integrated and multidimensional approach to asthma treatment for these patients