Improved asthma control with breath-actuated pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI): the SYSTER survey.
OBJECTIVE
Poor inhalation technique may impact both asthma control and compliance in patients with asthma. The SYSTER survey is therefore aimed at assessing the influence of starting or switching an existing therapy to a breath-actuated pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI, Autohaler) on these parameters.


METHODS
709 French general practitioners (GP) enrolled 2588 asthmatic patients in whom therapy with the breath-actuated pMDI was either initiated, or a switch from an existing inhalation device to the said inhaler was deemed necessary. Asthma control was assessed at inclusion and after 4 weeks of treatment with the Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). In addition, patient adherence was estimated according to the self-reported Morisky scale.


RESULTS
1510 patients (mean age 39 years, standard deviation 18 years; 53% male) completed follow-up after 4 weeks. The main reasons for inhaler change were poor asthma control (49%) and poor coordination (40%). After 4 weeks of therapy with the breath-actuated pMDI, asthma control significantly improved from 2.35 +/- 1.05 to 1.32 +/- 0.93 in the ACQ (p < 0.0001). Also, self-reported patient adherence improved from 2.11 +/- 1.43 to 1.57 +/- 1.53 on the Morisky scale (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that by focusing on the inhalation devices, asthma control and compliance with treatment are improved.
Giraud
V
V
Teva Santé, Paris La Défense, France. violaine.giraud@tevafrance.com
Allaert
F A
FA
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents