The Impact of Illness Perception on Medication Adherence to Inhaler Therapy in Elderly Individuals With COPD | Respiratory Care
Background: Medication adherence to inhaler therapy is pivotal for optimizing the management of COPD. Individuals with COPD often have suboptimal adherence behaviors to inhaler therapy. Illness perception and beliefs about medicines have been proved to be associated with medication adherence. Nevertheless, the influence of illness perception and medication beliefs on adherence to inhaler therapy among elderly individuals with COPD in China remains unclear. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 252 elderly subjects with COPD in China from June 2022–September 2023. The Test of Adherence to Inhalers, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and the Belief About Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) were utilized. Spearman correlations, regression analysis, and parallel mediation analysis were employed to assess the correlations and mediating effects among beliefs about medicines, illness perception, and medication adherence to inhaler therapy. Results: Medication adherence to inhal
