A study of the relationship among self-reported noncompliance, symptomatology, and psychological variables in patients with asthma

We examined the association among self-reported noncompliance and clinical status, symptomatology, functional activity, and psychological variables in asthma. Eighty-five asthmatics, who were hospitalized (H group), outpatien ts previously hospitalized (OH group), or outpatients not previously hospit alized (O group) completed questionnaires. Compliance was assessed during a structured interview. The higher prevalence of self-reported noncompliance in H group and OH group, compared to O group, was not explained by differe nces in respiratory function. Self-reported noncompliance was related to sy mptoms and emotional distress associated With disease and treatment, but no t to functional or emotional status. A patient subgroup that catalogued its elf as noncompliant may also be at risk for hospitalization, and Was charac terized by emotional distress associated with disease and treatment.