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[Inhalation chambers: an alternative to the conventional inhalator?]
J Serra Batlles1, A Comella, J C Casas
1Sección de Neumología, Hospital General de Vic, Barcelona.
Medicina Clinica
|June 19, 1993
Summary
Inhalation chambers and spacers significantly improve bronchodilator response in patients with respiratory disease who incorrectly use aerosol inhalers. Chambers showed better results than spacers.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Incorrect use of aerosol inhalers (AI) is common, even after instruction.
- Studies show a significant percentage of patients misuse their inhalers, impacting treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of inhalation chambers and spacers compared to conventional aerosol inhalers.
- To quantify the bronchodilator response in patients with chronic obstructive airflow disease.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-six stable patients with chronic obstructive airflow disease using AIs were studied.
- Patients were divided into two groups: 27 using an inhalation chamber (750 ml) and 29 using a spacer (50 ml).
- Analysis included patients using inhalers correctly and incorrectly, both together and separately.
Main Results:
- Patients using inhalers incorrectly showed significant benefit with both chambers and spacers.
- Inhalation chambers (750 ml) demonstrated a significant improvement in bronchodilator response compared to spacers (50 ml).
Conclusions:
- Using inhalation chambers or spacers significantly improves bronchodilator treatment response in patients with incorrect AI technique.
- Inhalation chambers provided superior results compared to spacers for patients with suboptimal inhaler use.