ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In Japan, there have been few reports about drug compliance, which is an important determinant of effectiveness, in the management of bronchial asthma patients. To clarify drug compliance and its relationship with various aspects of asthma management, a questionnaire survey was performed on asthmatic patients and their pharmacists.<BR>METHODS: This survey was carried out, from October to November in 2001. The subjects were limited to the regular inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) users, and were restricted to patients whose medication had not been changed for at least 6 months before the survey. The questionnaires inquired about asthma status, various factors that have been reported to be associated with drug compliance and asthma management. Patients' pharmacists were asked about prescribed medications and drug compliance based on the pharmaceutical records.<BR>RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received from 610 patients. ICS compliance was not lower than that of anti-allergic drug but lower than that of oral sustained-released theophylline (OSRT) . Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between ICS and OSRT compliance.<BR>CONCLUSION: These results might suggest that OSRT could improve patient's compliance to drug therapy through its bronchodilatory effect, thus resulting in better compliance to ICS. If this were the case, OSRT would play an important role in asthma management.
ABSTRACT
A 41-year-old man had been suffering from loss of appetite and abdominal distension since November, 1990 and was diagnosed as suffering from chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia and mild depression as a result of examinations. His symptoms were not cured by various kinds of western drugs and he was admitted to our hospital on June 19, 1992. We diagnosed his symptoms as caused by chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia and regurgitated bile juice based on his general examinations (Kyoukyoukuman) and findings of gastrointestinal fiberscopy (GIF) . He made favorable progress on Saikokeishi-To within one week and his weight increased from 55 kilograms to 58 kilograms five months. 5 months after treatment with Saikokeishi-To, GIF findings were considered to have shown improvement but histological findings of gastritis with intestinal metaplasia were considered to have been aggravated. Saikokeishi-To cured his symptoms and increased his body weight, but failed to improve histological findings in the gastric mucosa. Therefore Saikokeishi-To may have a good psychological effect and improve gastrointestinal motility.