Can we improve adherence and asthma outcomes in children and adolescents with technology-based interventions?

Nonadherence to asthma controller medications, of which inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the cornerstone treatment, contributes to poor asthma outcomes. 1 Suissa S Ernst P Benayoun S Baltzan M Cai B. Low-dose inhaled corticosteroids and the prevention of death from asthma. N Engl J Med. 2000; 343: 332-336 Crossref PubMed Scopus (941) Google Scholar Studies in children and adolescents document low objective adherence, and that self-reported adherence (eg, using diaries) is significantly higher than objectively measured adherence (eg, using electronic medication monitors [EMMs] fitted onto their ICS). 2 Krishnan JA Bender BG Wamboldt FS Szefler SJ Adkinson Jr, NF Zeiger RS et al. Adherence to inhaled corticosteroids: an ancillary study of the Childhood Asthma Management Program clinical trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012; 129: 112-118 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (103) Google Scholar ,3 Mosnaim G Li H Martin M Richardson D Belice PJ Avery E et al. The impact of peer support and mp3 messaging on adherence to inhaled corticosteroids in minority adolescents with asthma: a randomized, controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013; 1: 485-493 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (42) Google Scholar