Adherence to inhaled corticosteroids in patients with asthma prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic

The electronic prescription refill rate (EPRR) of 183 consecutive patients was determined over a 19-month retrospective study period, divided into 7 months PRE (Sep-19 to Mar-20) and 12 months POST pandemic (Apr-20 to Mar-21), in order to compare adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with asthma prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic (PRE), an average of 0.58 inhalers/month were refill from the pharmacy; [SD 0.33], very similar to the 0.59 inhalers/month; [SD 0.34] retrieved during the 12 subsequent months since the pandemic (POST) (p = 0.768). EPRR showed no differences (p = 0.784). When EPRR was dichotomous or ordinal categorised no differences were found either (p = 0.851 and 0.928), even when McNemar's test was used (p = 0.949), with prevalences of nonadherence (EPRR < 80%) of 57 and 58% respectively. Our results do not support increased adherence to inhaler treatment in terms of EPRR, comparing before and since COVID-19 pandemic. Compliance with prescription remains suboptimal.