Ferreira, Eduardo Freitas Pascoal, Adriana Silva, Patrícia Lourenço, Olga Valente, Salete Valente, Maria Jesus Loureiro, Marli Gama, Jorge M. R. Fonseca, João A. Taborda-Barata, Luís 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 <p><i>Objective:</i> 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. <i>Methods:</i> 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 <i>p</i> value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. <i>Results:</i> 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. <i>Conclusion:</i> 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.</p> Asthma knowledge;determinants;inhalers;inhaler technique;self-perception 2019-02-27
    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
10.6084/m9.figshare.7777088.v1