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The Influence of Informal Caregivers on Adherence in COPD Patients

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Contributions of informal caregivers to adherence among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients remain understudied.

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the association between caregiver presence and adherence to medical recommendations among COPD patients.

Methods

Three hundred and seventy-four COPD patients were asked whether they had a caregiver. Medication adherence was assessed using pharmacy refill data. Smoking status was based on patient self-report. One-way ANOVAs and chi-square analyses were performed controlling for age and number of illnesses.

Results

Compared with the “no caregiver” group, antihypertensive medications adherence was higher in the “spousal caregiver” (0.68 vs. 0.81; 95 % CI = 0.04 and 0.22) and “non-spousal caregiver” (0.68 vs. 0.80; 95 % CI = 0.03 and 0.22) groups; long-acting beta agonist adherence was higher in the “spousal caregiver” group (0.60 vs.0.80; 95 % CI = 0.05 and 0.43). Patients in the “spousal caregiver” group had fewer current smokers compared with the “no caregiver” (χ 2 = 16.08; p < 0.001) and “non-spousal caregiver” (χ 2 = 5.07; p < 0.05) groups; those in the “non-spousal caregiver” group reported fewer smokers than the “no caregiver” group (χ 2 = 4.54; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Caregivers, especially spouses, may improve adherence in COPD. Future interventions may target patients without caregivers to optimize COPD management.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Department of Veterans Affairs grant IIR-02-292. Dr. Au was funded during the trial period by a VA Health Science Research and Development Career Development Award. The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northwest Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA

    Ranak B. Trivedi Ph.D., Chris L. Bryson MD, MS, Edmunds Udris MPH & David H. Au MD, MS

  2. Department of Health Services, University of Washington, 1100 Olive Way, Suite 1400, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA

    Ranak B. Trivedi Ph.D.

  3. Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1100 Olive Way, Suite 1400, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA

    Chris L. Bryson MD, MS & David H. Au MD, MS

Authors
  1. Ranak B. Trivedi Ph.D.
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  2. Chris L. Bryson MD, MS
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  3. Edmunds Udris MPH
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  4. David H. Au MD, MS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ranak B. Trivedi Ph.D..

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Trivedi, R.B., Bryson, C.L., Udris, E. et al. The Influence of Informal Caregivers on Adherence in COPD Patients. ann. behav. med. 44, 66–72 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9355-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9355-8

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