Asthma and COPD Patients' Perception of Appropriate Metered-Dose Inhaler Technique

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Patient Adherence

Background:

• Asthma and COPD are prevalent chronic airway diseases in Lebanon and the Middle East.
• Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) are critical for delivering medication to treat these conditions.
• Incorrect pMDI use can significantly impair treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the technical proficiency of pMDI use among patients with pulmonary diseases in Lebanese community pharmacies.
• To identify common errors in pMDI device preparation and usage.

Main Methods:

• A structured questionnaire assessed pMDI preparation, device use, and knowledge of spacers.
• Data were collected from 601 patients across 12 community pharmacies in Lebanon.
• Survey reliability and validity were confirmed prior to patient response analysis.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of patients demonstrated inaccuracies in device preparation and use.
• Approximately 40% of patients failed to coordinate canister actuation with inhalation.
• Asthmatic, well-educated, male patients showed fewer errors in pMDI handling (P < .01).

Conclusions:

• Many patients with asthma and COPD exhibit suboptimal pMDI technique.
• Correct inhaler technique is paramount for successful management of these respiratory diseases.
• Tailored patient education on pMDI use is crucial due to the device's complexity.