%0 Generic %A Ferreira, Eduardo Freitas %A Pascoal, Adriana %A Silva, Patrícia %A Lourenço, Olga %A Valente, Salete %A Valente, Maria Jesus %A Loureiro, Marli %A Gama, Jorge M. R. %A Fonseca, João A. %A Taborda-Barata, Luís %D 2019 %T Inhaler training and asthma knowledge are associated with a higher proportion of patients with correct inhaler technique in young but not in elderly asthmatic patients %U https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Inhaler_training_and_asthma_knowledge_are_associated_with_a_higher_proportion_of_patients_with_correct_inhaler_technique_in_young_but_not_in_elderly_asthmatic_patients/7777088 %R 10.6084/m9.figshare.7777088.v1 %2 https://tandf.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/14479958 %2 https://tandf.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/14479961 %2 https://tandf.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/14479964 %2 https://tandf.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/14479970 %K Asthma knowledge %K determinants %K inhalers %K inhaler technique %K self-perception %X

Objective: Incorrect inhaler usage is frequent, particularly in elderly asthmatic patients. This study aimed at comparing inhaler technique errors and their determinants, as well inhaler technique self-perception versus real performance, between elderly and non-elderly asthmatics. Methods: Cross-sectional assessment of 92 elderly and 100 non-elderly asthmatics followed at specialty clinics. A standardized questionnaire was applied and inhaler technique demonstration was requested. Errors were assessed using checklists based on manufacturers’ instructions and inhaler technique was graded as correct, acceptable or incorrect. Chi-Square Test and Fischer’s Exact Test were used for comparative analysis of nominal variables. A p value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Inhaler technique was correct in a minority of elderly and young patients, without significant differences between study groups. Only 11.1% of the elderly who classified their inhaler as easy and 12.7% who stated their technique was correct had no errors. Previous regular inhaler training was associated with better actual performance in young but not in elderly patients. Conclusion: Our study showed that in spite of regular follow up at specialized outpatient clinics, inhaler devices are associated with a high frequency of errors in elderly and non-elderly asthmatics. In addition, most patients tend to overestimate their technique as correct. Finally, previous, frequent training was associated with a significantly higher percentage of patients showing correct or acceptable technique but only in non-elderly asthmatics, which suggests that elderly asthmatics may need specifically tailored inhaler education programs.

%I Taylor & Francis