Sixty Years After Inhalational Devices- Where Do We Stand?

Abstract

BACKGROUNDBronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are the Common Respiratory Diseases (CRD's). Drugs delivered through inhaler devices are the backbone for treatment of CRD's. Inhaler technique errors are common even after more than 60 years of introduction of these devices.The aim of the study is to explore the faulty inhaler techniques among patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Health education has significant impact on improving the inhaler technique thereby achieving better disease control and also brings out regularity of inhaler usage by patients. MATERIALS AND METHODSAll the relevant information including patients profile and usage of inhalers was collected by a prepared questionnaire from 242 patients with asthma or COPD attending our OPD. The patient's inhaler technique was assessed using a standard checklist for proper use of a Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI) or Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI). All the participants were asked to demonstrate their inhaler technique, which was assessed and documented. Education was given to all patients about the correct inhalational method and they were also counseled to adhere to it. Inhaler technique was reassessed in all the patients after a month and reinforcement of the correct technique was done. Statistical Analysis-Using the chi-square test, P-values of each variable like age, gender, education, duration of illness, etc. were derived. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Settings and Design-This is a cross-sectional study with an interventional component done on 242 patients with bronchial asthma or COPD attending the pulmonology OPD in Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research. RESULTSOut of 242 patients studied on baseline evaluation in the first visit, only 46 patients (19.008%) were able to do the technique correctly, which after education on the correct inhaler technique increased to 134 patients (55.37%) in the follow up visit done after a month. CONCLUSIONErrors in inhaler technique still persist in patients with chronic respiratory diseases and the best way to counter this is by effective patient and physician education.