The clinical relevance of inhalation technique in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract

Introduction

Numerous studies show that patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) perform an incorrect inhalation technique (IT). This research aims to describe inhalation errors committed and their clinical importance, and to identify factors related to them.

Patients and methods

A total of 995 patients were recruited in this cross-sectional, descriptive study that was conducted across 20 Andalusian Health Care Centres. The following variables were collected: socio-demographic data, quality of life, mental and cognitive status, spirometry tests, severity, number of IT devices, IT correct performance, previous instruction and clinical importance of errors.

Results

Of the 995 patients, 906 (91,1%) performed an incorrect IT. The most common errors showed moderate errors, which were related to low cognitive level, low peak expiratory flow and fewer medical consultations with the pulmonologist. Critical errors were correlated with greater severity, usage of Turbuhaler® and worse quality of life.

Discussion

Soaring incorrect technique rate, whose most common errors sparingly compromise the drug effectiveness. These errors are related to the way the patients perform the IT, and not to the difficulty in handling the device. This information demonstrates the relevance of training patients in a proper way.

Resumen

Introducción

Numerosos estudios muestran que los pacientes con Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica (EPOC) realizan una técnica de inhalación (TI) incorrecta. Nuestra investigación pretende describir los errores cometidos y la Importancia Clínica de dichos Fallos (ICF), e identificar los factores relacionados con ello.

Pacientes y métodos

Estudio descriptivo transversal de 995 pacientes seguidos en 20 Centros de Salud de Andalucía. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, calidad de vida, estado mental-cognitivo, espirometría, gravedad, número de dispositivos, realización correcta de la TI, instrucción previa e ICF.

Resultados

906 pacientes (91,1%) realizaban una TI incorrecta. Los errores más frecuentes presentaban ICF2-moderada y se relacionaron con nivel cognitivo bajo, pico flujo inhalatorio bajo y menos visitas al neumólogo. Los errores críticos-ICF3 mostraron relación con mayor gravedad, uso de Turbuhaler® y peor calidad de vida.

Discusión

Altísima tasa de técnica incorrecta cuyos errores más frecuentes comprometen de forma moderada la eficacia del fármaco, se relacionan con el modo de realizar la TI y no con la dificultad en el manejo del dispositivo. Esto muestra la importancia de entrenar correctamente a nuestros pacientes.