[Inhalation technique in patients with chronic respiratory diseases]

To determine how inhalers are used by patients with chronic respiratory diseases in the Community of Valencia (Spain) and to identify the factors associated with correct use.

We carried out a prospective study of 554 patients (331 men, 223 women, mean age 50.5 +/- 21.5 years) who underwent spirometric testing (292 with bronchial asthma, 192 with COPD, 15 with bronchiectasis and 55 with other diagnoses). The patients were asked what type of inhaler they used. Pressurised canisters (PC) were used by 39.9%, inhalation chambers (IC) by 37.9% and dry powder inhalers (Turbuhalers) (DP) by 22.2%. They were also asked what instructions they had received; the inhalation techniques recommended by the Spanish Society of Pneumologists and Chest Surgeons (SEPAR) was reviewed step by step.

a) Four hundred thirty-two patients (78%) reported having received instruction in how to use the inhaler; b) One hundred seventy-five (31.6%) used the correct technique: 25.3% using PC, 32.4% using IC and 41.5% using DP (p = 0.008); c) The most common errors were not holding the breath after inhaling in the case of PC users, not waiting 30 seconds between inhalation maneuvers and the lack of synchrony with inspiration among PC users; d) Use of correct inhalation technique was associated with prior instruction (rs = 0.249; p < 0.001) and younger age (rs = 0.92; p = 0.03).

A high percentage of patients, particularly those using PC and those who received no instruction, use inhalers incorrectly in the Community of Valencia. We therefore recommend health education programs that target the main errors identified.