Assessment of inhalation technique in children in general practice: increased risk of incorrect performance with new device.
In a general practice based population 76% of 530 children inhaling asthma medication inhaled correctly. However, important differences among inhalers were found. Children with a pressurized metered-dose inhaler without a spacer device performed worst, with only 22% inhaling without essential errors. At a second evaluation of the inhaler technique, one year after the first assessment, performances with a new device were more often incorrect versus the unchanged devices (21.1% and 10.8%, respectively; p = 0.01). Providing children with a new device should be carefully controlled over time especially because these children are error prone.
Hagmolen of ten Have
Wanda
W
Medical Spectrum Twente, Department of Pulmonology, Enschede, The Netherlands. wandahoth@hotmail.com
van de Berg
Norbert J
NJ
Bindels
Patrick J E
PJ
van Aalderen
Wim M C
WM
van der Palen
Job
J
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods