Inhaler training and asthma knowledge are associated with a higher proportion of patients with correct inhaler technique in young but not in elderly asthmatic patients

• Autor(a) principal: Ferreira, Eduardo Freitas
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Outros Autores: Pascoal, Adriana dos Santos, Silva, Patrícia, Lourenço, Olga, Valente, Maria La Salete, Valente, Maria de Jesus, Loureiro, Marli, Gama, Jorge, Fonseca, Joao A, Taborda Barata, Luis
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/9170
• topic: Asthma knowledge; Determinants; Inhalers; Inhaler technique; Self-perception

Objective: Incorrect inhaler usage is frequent, particularly in elderly asthmatic patients. This study aimed at comparing inhaler technique errors and their determinants, as well inhaler technique self-perception versus real performance, between elderly and non-elderly asthmatics. Methods: Cross-sectional assessment of 92 elderly and 100 non-elderly asthmatics followed at specialty clinics. A standardized questionnaire was applied and inhaler technique demonstration was requested. Errors were assessed using checklists based on manufacturers’ instructions and inhaler technique was graded as correct, acceptable or incorrect. Chi-Square Test and Fischer’s Exact Test were used for comparative analysis of nominal variables. A p value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Inhaler technique was correct in a minority of elderly and young patients, without significant differences between study groups. Only 11.1% of the elderly who classified their inhaler as easy and 12.7% who stated their technique was correct had no errors. Previous regular inhaler training was associated with better actual performance in young but not in elderly patients. Conclusion: Our study showed that in spite of regular follow up at specialized outpatient clinics, inhaler devices are associated with a high frequency of errors in elderly and non-elderly asthmatics. In addition, most patients tend to overestimate their technique as correct. Finally, previous, frequent training was associated with a significantly higher percentage of patients showing correct or acceptable technique but only in non-elderly asthmatics, which suggests that elderly asthmatics may need specifically tailored inhaler education programs.