Unraveling the “Anxiety–Adherence Paradox”: Illness Perception Clusters Predict Non–Adherence in Newly Diagnosed Asthma

Illness perceptions (IP), patients’ cognitive and emotional representations of illness, are key determinants of adherence.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>This study aimed to identify IP clusters at diagnosis and determine their predictive value for medication adherence over the 6-month follow-up period and clinical outcomes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this prospective cohort study, 212 newly diagnosed asthma patients were enrolled.

We applied consensus clustering analysis to the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) to identify robust IP clusters. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess whether cluster membership independently predicted medication adherence over the 6-month follow-up period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Four distinct IP clusters were identified: Pessimistic–Helpless, Underestimating–Low Control, Hypersensitive–Anxious, and Adaptive–Vigilant.