[Use of drugs for CNSLD (asthma and COPD) in Dutch residential homes and nursing homes].
Of the 1019 residents of eight dutch homes for the elderly and 699 patients of five nursing homes, respectively 6.0 and 8.1% were administered drugs for chronic non-specific lung disease (CNSLD), which is a term covering asthma as well as copd. The treatment consisted of, usually inhaled, beta-agonists and/or anti-cholinergics in 82%, inhaled as well as oral corticosteroids in 60%, and xanthine-derivates and N-acetylcysteïne, both of which were taken orally, in 28 and 21% of the patients respectively. It was found that almost half (47%) of the patients using inhaled drugs, which 90% of them did either with or without help, made at least three mistakes during inhalation. Considering that CSNLD is probably underdiagnosed, especially when it occurs as a cause of co-morbidity and will have an unfavourable influence on the general state of health by reducing lung function, the suboptimal application of inhaled drugs should be a cause of concern for those who treat elderly patients with asthma and or copd.
Offerhaus
M P
MP
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Vakgroep Huisartsgeneeskunde Verpleeghuisgeneeskunde.
Haan
I B
IB
Herijgers
D C
DC
Cools
H J
HJ
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009735:Nursing Homes
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists