Correct or incorrect use of inhalers in patients with dyspnea

Abstract

Introduction: One of the medications used by patients with dyspnea and asthma is sprays whose the way of application is very important. If these medications are not used properly, they will not be effective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correct or incorrect use of sprays by patients. Material and Method: This double-blind observational analytical study was conducted on patients attending clinics in Jahrom from 2009 to 2013 selected by convenience sampling method. After obtaining patient's consent, a researcher-made questionnaire was completed by the patients and then they were asked to use spray in the presence of another researcher and then to complete the second questionnaire on how the patient should use the spray. Finally, the data were analyzed. Results: Of a total of 468 participants in this study, 43.6% (n=204) used sprays correctly, and 95.1% of them were trained in this regard. Incorrect use of sprays was observed more in men and older people and there was no relationship between the correct or incorrect use and patients' education level. Conclusion: Training patients with dyspnea how to use sprays is the essential component of prescribing these medications, and physicians and healthcare providers should consider providing training on correct use of sprays to increase the effectiveness of medications.

Effect of Implementing an Educational Module About Inhaler Use on Severity of Dyspnea and Adherence to Inhalation Therapy Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…These findings are in accordance with the findings of Fadaei et al, (2016) who found that approximately all of their subjects were trained in this regard but didn't follow these training [36]. These findings were explained by Restrepo et al, (2008) who reported that retention of instructions about appropriate use of inhaler is lost over time [37].…”

“…These results are supported by National asthma council (2008) which stated that large body of evidence from randomized trials have shown that patient's inhaler technique can be improved by education [17]. Also Fadaei et al, (2014) revealed that using inhaler correctly requires the patients to be informed about proper use instructions [36].…”

Is Inhaler Technique Associated with Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

“… 16 Unfortunately, studies that focus on the evaluation of the inhalation technique are scars in Iran and most of them did not include patients with COPD. 17 , 18 , 19 …”

Comparing the effects of face-to-face and video-based education on inhaler use: A randomized, two-group pretest/posttest study

“…[ 3 ] Studies showed that 4–94% of patients with respiratory diseases use inhalers incorrectly. [ 4 ],[ 5 ],[ 6 ],[ 7 ] In addition, it has been shown that only 15–69% of healthcare providers (including physicians and nurses) can demonstrate correct inhaler use[ 8 ] and only 14.2% of physicians had an adequate knowledge of inhalation therapy. [ 9 ] Incorrect inhaler use not only results in ineffective symptom management[ 7 ] but also wastes $7–15 billion each year.…”