Preschool Asthma Children: Navigating COVID-19’s Impact on Treatment Adherence

Objective: Investigating long-term asthma treatment adherence and influencing possible factors in preschool children with persistent asthma during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this study compared the year before and the first year of the pandemic. Materials and Methods: Preschoolers on daily inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) for at least a year before the pandemic due to persistent asthma, were surveyed to assess treatment adherence, its causes, and possible factors like respiratory infections, and preschool attendance. Medical records were used to assess exacerbations and control. Results: Out of 229 screened cases, 62 were included. During the first pandemic year, 51.6% discontinued daily inhaler treatment, with most discontinuations occurring in the first 3 months. The most common reason for discontinuation cited is the absence of asthma symptoms (90.6%). In the year before the pandemic, only ICSs dosage (P: .010) significantly impacted asthma treatment adherence. During the first pandemic year, possible factors like respiratory infections, COVID-19, preschool attendance, and smoking didn't affect adherence (P > .05). Conclusion: In preschool children with persistent asthma, adherence to ICSs treatment decreased by half during the first pandemic year. Traditionally influential possible factors on treatment adherence did not show significant differences between those who discontinued and those who continued treatment, likely due to the exceptional circumstances resulting from the pandemic.