Patient perceptions of an inhaled asthma medication administered as an inhalation powder via the Diskus or as an inhalation aerosol via a metered-dose inhaler.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate patient preference, ease of use, and correctness of use of fluticasone propionate administered as inhalation powder via the Diskus (GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC) and as inhalation aerosol administered via metered-dose inhaler (MDI).


METHODS
In 154 patients 12 years of age and older with asthma and a history of MDI use, the Diskus and the MDI were compared in a randomized, open-label, 7-week crossover study.


RESULTS
In patients who had used both devices, more found the Diskus easier to use (59%) and preferred it overall (60%) compared with the MDI (P < or = 0.025). Ninety-eight percent (for the MDI) vs 91% (for the Diskus) of patients were able to correctly perform all the maneuvers necessary to use the devices correctly by either viewing a single demonstration and/or reading the instructions for use. Ninety-four percent of all patients found it easier to tell the number of residual doses with the Diskus (P < 0.001), and 59% of patients indicated that they would most likely request the Diskus from their physician (P = 0.025). Compliance was significantly better with the Diskus; 91.1% of patients used the Diskus as directed compared with 78.6% for the MDI (P = 0.013).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients exposed to both devices, the majority preferred the Diskus and found it easier to use compared with the MDI. Ninety-one percent of patients used the Diskus correctly with minimal training, and when given a choice, most indicated they would likely request the Diskus from their physicians. Together, these data indicate a significant level of acceptance of the Diskus device in this patient population.
Sheth
Ketan
K
Allergy/Asthma Section, Arnett Clinic, Lafayette, Indiana 47904, USA. Sheth@arnett.com
Bernstein
Jonathan A
JA
Lincourt
William R
WR
Merchant
Kunal K
KK
Edwards
Lisa D
LD
Crim
Courtney C
CC
Dorinsky
Paul M
PM
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011208:Powders / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000730:Androstadienes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011208:Powders; D000068298:Fluticasone