Ghulam Mustafa, Mohammed Ibrahim, Khalil Ahmed Shahid, Hafiz Mohammed Yar Malik.
A study of inhaler use technique among patients of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Isra Med J Jan ;9(1):38-40.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the technique of inhaler use among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Asthma patients. STUDY DESIGN: A Cross Sectional Study st th PLACE AND DURATION: Department of Pulmonology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, from 1 March to 30 June 2015. METHODOLOGY: A total of eighty consecutive patients with diagnosis of chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or asthma, having history of inhaler use were included. Study subjects were asked to use inhaler while medical officer observed different steps of inhalation as performed by patients. A ten step questionnaire was devised to note inhalation technique by each study subject. Each step of inhalation technique was labeled as “correct” or “false” and noted in questionnaire. The data on demographic variables was also noted. RESULTS: it was noted that 6% even did not removed cap before use. Majority 87.5% shake inhaler well, whereas, 95% hold upright inhaler properly. According to this study 50% of study subjects did not breath out gently. 32.5% made ineffective mouth sealing and only 37.5% patients breath in while canister was pressed simultaneously, 42.5% continued breath in slowly after canister press and 42.5% hold of breath after canister push. Single actuation/single inhalation was done by only 47.5% of study subjects. Most 52.5% of study subjects also did not wait for one minute if more dose was required. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that half of the patients were not able to perform the basic essential steps required for effective delivery of drug.

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