Adequate use of asthma inhalation medication in children: more involvement of the parents seems useful.
BACKGROUND
Asthma and other chronic airway diseases can be effectively treated by inhaler therapy. Inhaler therapy depends on appropriate use of the inhaler. This study evaluates the knowledge among Dutch children and their parents regarding asthma inhaler therapy and appropriateness of its use.


RESULTS
Five general practices selected all children aged 0 to 12 years on asthma inhalation medication. Children demonstrated inhaler use and were interviewed with their parents.46 subjects were enrolled; mean age 5.5 years (SD 3.4) years; 26 (57%) were boys. Of the children using one inhaler only, 70% used the inhaler as indicated and of those using more than one inhaler 46%. On average 2.6 mistakes were made during demonstration of the technique, and 2 mistakes were reported in the interview. In total, 87% of the parents decided when and how the inhaler had to be used. Spacer cleaning was performed correctly by 49%; 26% reported a correct way of assessing how many doses were remaining.


CONCLUSIONS
Dutch children make essential mistakes related to inhaler use that are easy to avoid. We recommend a better explanation and demonstration of the technique, and recommend involvement of the parents during instruction.
Uijen
Johannes H J M
JH
Department of General Practice, Room Ff305, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.uijen@erasmusmc.nl
van Uijthoven
Yannick J W
YJ
van der Wouden
Johannes C
JC
Bindels
Patrick J E
PJ