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Self-reported inhaler use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Kory VanderSchaaf1, Kari L Olson, Sarah Billups
1Pharmacy Department, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
Respiratory Medicine
|August 4, 2009
Summary
Many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) do not use their inhalers as prescribed, often due to perceived ineffectiveness, forgetfulness, or cost. Understanding these variances is crucial for improving COPD management.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Patient Adherence Research
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent and growing respiratory condition.
- Inhaler adherence is critical for managing COPD, yet patient-reported variances in prescribed use are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent of patient-reported variance in prescribed inhaler use among individuals with COPD.
- To identify the primary reasons contributing to these variances in inhaler usage patterns.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 600 ambulatory patients diagnosed with COPD.
- The survey assessed inhaler usage patterns, reasons for deviation from prescribed instructions, and patient demographics.
- Logistic regression analysis identified predictors of inhaler variance.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion (40%) of COPD patients reported not using inhalers as prescribed.
- Key reasons cited for variance included perceived lack of breathing improvement (20%), missed doses (19%), and medication cost (15%).
- Higher education, home oxygen use, and ipratropium prescriptions predicted inhaler variance.
Conclusions:
- Patient-reported inhaler variance is common in COPD management.
- Addressing patient-reported barriers like perceived efficacy, forgetfulness, and cost is essential.
- Further research should evaluate the clinical impact of inhaler variance on COPD morbidity.
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