[The efficacy of Turbuhaler dry powder inhaler in Japanese asthma--measurement of peak inspiratory flow when using Turbuhaler].
Inhaled antiasthmatic agents can be effective, but their efficacy depends on the delivery system and on inhalation technique. The dry powder inhaler Turbuhaler is being evaluated clinically, and correct inhalation technique with this device has been shown to be easy to teach. To find out whether this device could be useful in Japan, we studied inspiratory flow and inhalation technique with the Turbuhaler in Japanese patients with asthma. Of the 105 patients studied, 80 patients (76.2%) used the Turbuhaler correctly after only one practice session; 58 patients (55%) found it easy or very easy to use, and 19 patients (18%) found it difficult to use. The mean peak inspiratory flow for all patients was 61 L/min. Peak inspiratory flow was less than 30 L/ min in only two patients, both of whom were women over 65 years old. Peak inspiratory flow did not correlate with other indices of pulmonary function. In summary, inspiratory flow in Japanese patients with asthma was sufficient for the Turbuhaler to be effective, and these patients soon learned to use the device even though they had no previous experience with a dry powder inhaler. Therefore, the Turbuhaler should be clinically useful in Japan.
Kaneko
N
N
Department of Respiratory Internal Medicine, Showa University, Fujigaoka Hospital.
Narushima
M
M
Tanaka
K
K
Suzuki
H
H
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents