[Opinions and behavior of asthmatic patients towards treatment using aerosols]

An ever increasing number of drugs prescribed in the treatment of asthma are presented as aerosols, so that patients may be requested to inhale many puffs every day. In this study, the opinion of asthmatic patients was sought and their behaviour towards aerosols during attacks and in long-term treatment was recorded by means of a questionnaire. The answers confirmed that asthmatics liked aerosols and found them usually effective, but 60% of these patients exceeded the stated dose, and if the drug failed to bring the expected relief, 30% waited 24 hours before calling for a doctor. In long-term treatments, 80% of the patients studied said that 10 puffs a day were a nuisance, and 12% were switched to another treatment for that reason. These results are very important. Doctors should reinforce the patients' education and limit the number of daily puffs they prescribe to obtain better compliance of asthmatics with their treatment.