Assessment of inhalation technique of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients attending tertiary care hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Abstract

Context: Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and bronchial asthma is on the rise all over the world. Inhalation therapy is the most recommended and efficient therapy for these respiratory diseases, but incorrect inhalation technique can cause poor disease control and increase the burden on health care resources. Aims: The aim was to evaluate the inhalation technique of COPD and bronchial asthma patients using pressurized metered dose inhaler and to investigate the determinants of incorrect inhalation technique. Settings and Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: Consecutive nonrandom sampling method was used to enroll study subjects. Basic sociodemographic information of the study subjects was collected. The inhalation technique was visually observed and scored on checklist. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test and Fisher exact test. Results: Among the 85 patients observed, 64 (75.29%) were males. Correct technique was observed in only 18 (21.17%) patients. The step at which maximum number of patients committed mistake was exhalation (65.88%) followed by breath holding (45.88%). No significant correlation was found between accuracy of the technique and the guide who taught the technique, age, sex, education status, or area of residence of the patients. A significant correlation (P = 0.002) was found between duration of device usage and correctness technique. Conclusions: It was found that substantial errors were made in the inhalation technique hence proper training and follow-up of the patients is required to achieve the desired effects of the inhaled medications.