Objective: To examine the frequency of proper use of inhalation devices and influence of age and training on it.
Materials and methods: One hundred and five subjects of bronchial asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); aged between 18 to 75 y (mean ± SD; 46 ± 28.55) were studied. Subjects were enrolled over a period of three months. Data like weight, height and concomitant medications were recorded. It was an observational and questionnaire based study. Parameters were chosen to demonstrate the inhalational technique, errors committed in different steps of use & nature of medical, paramedical, nursing personals and others imparting training for use of inhaler device and time devoted for it.
Results: Of total 105 patients, 31 were using dry powdered inhalers (DPI), 50 on metered dose inhalers (MDI), and 24 on MDI with spacer devices. Among study population 83.81% were trained by healthcare professionals (doctors, nurse, pharmacists, paramedical or representatives of Pharmaceutical companies) and 16.19% are trained by general people. Among the MDI users (n=50) only 6%, 16.12% among the DPI users, 20.8%, among MDI with spacer users could use inhalers correctly. At 95% confidence limit there was significance of errors committed between DPI and MDI users (difference of SE is 2.56) and between spacer and MDI users (difference of SE 2.92). There was no difference found in regard of frequency of errors committed in taking different devices according to patient's socioeconomic, educational background and trainer.
Conclusion: It was concluded that use of MDI with spacer most convenient method. Doctors often did not have sufficient time to train patients regarding proper technique of inhaler use. With ever increasing and widespread use of inhalers patients' education is becoming more important. Proper training will surely make these drugs more effective and cost benefit ratio more favourable.
Keywords: Bronchial asthma; COPD; Inhaler; Spacer device.