HOW DO PATIENTS USE INHALER DEVICES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND OWN EXPERIENCE.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Novakova, Silviya; Novakova, Plamena; Yoncheva, Manuela
- Source
- Management & Education / Upravlenie i Obrazovanie. 2017, Vol. 13, p214-217. 4p.
- Subject
- *INHALERS
*ASTHMA treatment
*DRUG therapy
- Language
- ISSN
- 1312-6121
Introduction. Effective asthma management requires the development of a partnership between patients and health care providers. Using an inhaler is a skill that must be learnt in order for the medication to be delivered effectively.The purpose of the study was to assess how do asthmatic patients use their inhaler devices in every day practice. Patients and methods. In this study the first 20 patients with diagnosed asthma from at least 12 months, treated with different devices within at least four last months were consecutively enrolled while being followed up for asthma. The devices were: pressured metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and four dry powder inhalers (DPI). A check list was used according to the instructions of the manufacturer for assessment. Results. A total number of 100 patients [mean age 49.65 years (SD 11.28). men 58 (58%)] were prospectively evaluated. Among treated with pMDI 8(40%) patients had no mistake and 63 (78.75%) in treated with DPI. The correct use in the DPI group was as followed: 15 (75%) with Discus®; 10(50%) in treated with Turbohaler®; 19(95%) in treated with Ellipta® and 19 (95%) in Spiromax® group. Conclusion. The results from the study and data from the literature provide evidence that a lot of patients do not use their inhaler devices properly. Novel devices Ellipta® and Spiromax® are used by most of the patients correctly. Education of patients by health care professionals could result in a more efficient use of devices and better outcome of asthma management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]