Knowledge of and technique for using inhalation devices among asthma patients and COPD patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate knowledge of and techniques for using prescribed inhalation devices among patients with asthma or COPD treated at a tertiary teaching hospital.


METHODS
Patients were assessed after medical visits, and their physicians were blinded to this fact. Patients were asked to demonstrate their inhaler technique and were then interviewed regarding their knowledge of inhalation devices, control of the disease and instructions received during medical visits.


RESULTS
We included 120 volunteers: 60 with asthma and 60 with COPD. All of the asthma patients and 98.3% of the COPD patients claimed to know how to use inhaled medications. In the sample as a whole, 113 patients (94.2%) committed at least one error when using the inhalation device. Patients committed more errors when using metered-dose inhalers than when using the dry-powder inhalers Aerolizer (p < 0.001) or Pulvinal (p < 0.001), as well as committing more errors when using the Aerolizer inhaler than when using the Pulvinal inhaler (p < 0.05). Using the metered-dose, Pulvinal and Aerolizer inhalers, the COPD group patients committed more errors than did the asthma group patients (p = 0.0023, p = 0.0065 and p = 0.012, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the majority of the patients claimed to know how to use inhalation devices, the fact that 94.2% committed at least one error shows that their technique was inappropriate and reveals a discrepancy between understanding and practice. Therefore, it is not sufficient to ask patients whether they know how to use inhalation devices. Practical measures should be taken in order to minimize errors and optimize treatment.
Souza
Maria Luiza de Moraes
ML
Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil.
Meneghini
Andrea Cristina
AC
Ferraz
Erica
E
Vianna
Elcio Oliveira
EO
Borges
Marcos Carvalho
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000145:classification*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult