[Use of inhaled bronchodilators by primary care patients].
OBJECTIVE
To find how widespread incorrect inhalation techniques are in patients on long-term inhalation treatments, comparing different methods and the health control standard.


METHODS
A descriptive crossover study.


METHODS
Three Health Centres in Burgos.


METHODS
People over 15 with at least a month on inhalation treatment.


RESULTS
A questionnaire was composed to find the characteristics of the patients and their illness. Then their inhalation method was qualified as correct, acceptable or incorrect, using a scale based on Newman's classic criteria. Average age was 63.8 +/- 15.6, with 66.5% men. 11.6% of patients were active smokers. The most common diagnosis was COPD (61.6%). 65% of the patients were monitored within primary care (PC). The most common inhalation method was pressurised aerosol (61%); 26.2% of patients used two or more different methods. Only 21.3% of patients correctly performed the technique of inhalation, with better results for patients under specialist care (SC) than PC. 10.5% of patients had never received instruction on an inhalation technique. The method with the best results was the dry dust one, with differences close to statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
There is widespread incorrect use of methods of inhalation. Most people use a pressurised aerosol. There are a large number of patients who have never been shown the correct way to inhale.
Benito Ortiz
L
L
Centros de Salud Los Comuneros, Federico García Lorca y San Agustin, Burgos.
Pérez Sánchez
F C
FC
Nieto Sánchez
M P
MP
Saiz Monzón
M L
ML
Crespo Fidalgo
P
P
Aldecoa Alvarez-Santullano
C
C
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents