title: Inhaler competence and patient satisfaction with Easyhaler®: results of two real-life multicentre studies in asthma and COPD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate patients' inhaler competence and satisfaction with the Easyhaler(®) dry powder inhaler.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two open, uncontrolled, non-randomised studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Real life based on patients attending 56 respiratory clinics in Hungary.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 1016).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 3-month study, adult patients (age range 18-88 years; n = 797) received twice-daily inhalations of formoterol via Easyhaler(®), and in a consequential study (from one visit to another, with 3-12 months in-between) children and adolescents (age range 4-17 years; n = 219) received salbutamol via Easyhaler(®) as needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Control of six Easyhaler(®) handling steps and patients' satisfaction with Easyhaler(®) based on questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Correct performances (minimum and maximum of the six steps) were noticed after one demonstration in 92-98% of the adults, 87-99% of the elderly, 81-96% of the children and 83-99% of the adolescents. These figures had markedly increased at the last visit. Repeat instructions were necessary in 26% of the cases. Investigators found Easyhaler(®) easy to teach in 87% of the patients and difficult in only 0.5%. Patients found Easyhaler(®) easy to learn and use, and the patients' (and parents') satisfaction with the inhaler was very high. Lung function values [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF)] improved statistically significantly during the studies, indicating good inhaler competence and treatment adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Investigators found Easyhaler(®) easy to teach and patients found it easy to use, and their satisfaction with the device was high.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gálffy
authors.forename: Györgyi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mezei
authors.forename: Gyula
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Németh
authors.forename: Lilla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tamási
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Olof
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Selroos
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orosz
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D058995:Dry Powder Inhalers / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate
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