Screening of inhalation technique and treatment adherence of COPD, asthma and ACO patients

Abstract

Introduction: Inhaled medication is crucial for asthma, COPD and their overlap (ACO) treatment. Inhaler mishandling reduces its effect, leading to clinical and functional declining. Aim: To assess inhalation technique of patients (pts) with asthma, COPD and ACO, evaluate impact of a constant technique learning in every appointment and treatment adherence. Method: Inhalation technique, clinical control and pulmonary function were evaluated with questionnaires in 3 different times: at baseline, after 1month and after 6months. The correct technique is explained after each evaluation. Pts were included along 6months. Results: 101 pts were included (53% male, mean age 61 years old). 42% had COPD, 42% asthma and 16% ACO; 25% of the pts didn’t have a regular adherence to the therapy (56% of which asthmatic, p=0.001), most of them felt good and forgot to use it. Around 67% of the pts made at least 1 critical error. From these, 53% had low and 43% had middle educational level (p=0.005); pts who use multiple devices had more errors than those with only one (2.5 vs 1.2, p=0.011); 86% of the pts who had moderate/severe exacerbations the year before recruitment made critical errors (p Conclusions: Pts with critical errors were prevalent and this study showed that pts improved their inhalation technique with regular training, which contributed to a clinical and functional improvement.