Article Text

Download PDFPDF

OHP-012 Assessment of Unified Inhalation Guidance Documents For Different Inhalers and the Influence of Age on Inhalation Technique
Free
  1. R Ono1,
  2. A Hosomi1,
  3. T Horie2,
  4. J Onozato3,
  5. T Hashita1,
  6. T Araki4,
  7. K Iizuka1,
  8. T Nakamura4,
  9. K Yamamoto4,
  10. K Dobashi5
  1. 1Gunma University Hospital, Pharmacy, Maebashi-shi, Japan
  2. 2Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, Respiratory Medicine, Maebashi-shi, Japan
  3. 3Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, Pharmacy, Maebashi-shi, Japan
  4. 4Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology, Maebashi-shi, Japan
  5. 5Gunma University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Maebashi-shi, Japan

Abstract

Background When using an inhaler for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the correct inhalation technique is essential for obtaining the desired effect. However, the development of different types of inhalers has led to inhalation techniques that differ greatly among devices. Therefore, we prepared the ‘Unified Inhalation Guidance Documents’ (UIGDs) in cooperation with hospitals and pharmacies in our region for each available type of inhaler.

Purpose To assess the benefits and problems of the UIGD.

Materials and Methods A total of 165 Japanese patients who received inhalation therapy from June 2011 to September 2012 were enrolled, and 213 points regarding the inhalation technique with 8 types of inhalers were obtained. The inhalation technique of patients who received guidance based on the UIGD for the use of inhalers was assessed by scoring inhalation skill. In addition, we assessed the impact of age on the acquisition of inhalation technique.

Results We found that 86 cases (40.4%) showed problems with inhalation technique. In particular, patients using a Breezhaler (4/5) and Turbuhaler (18/37) had a high rate of problems with their technique. Problems were more frequent in patients aged 65 or over (older) (63/146, 43.2%) compared with other patients (younger) (23/67, 34.3%). In particular, for patients using a Turbuhaler, more older patients (10/14, 71.4%) than younger patients (8/23, 34.8%) had trouble with technique.

Conclusions Around 40% of patients who received guidance based on the UIGD for the use of inhaler devices had trouble with their inhalation technique. Therefore, the UIGDs for the Breezhaler and Turbuhaler should be reassessed. Because the use of some types of inhalers was difficult for older patients, developing an inhaler and guidance specifically for older patients should be considered.

No conflict of interest.

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.