Inhaler competence and patient satisfaction with Easyhaler®: results of two real-life multicentre studies in asthma and COPD.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate patients' inhaler competence and satisfaction with the Easyhaler(®) dry powder inhaler.

DESIGN

Two open, uncontrolled, non-randomised studies.

SETTING

Real life based on patients attending 56 respiratory clinics in Hungary.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 1016).

INTERVENTION

In a 3-month study, adult patients (age range 18-88 years; n = 797) received twice-daily inhalations of formoterol via Easyhaler(®), and in a consequential study (from one visit to another, with 3-12 months in-between) children and adolescents (age range 4-17 years; n = 219) received salbutamol via Easyhaler(®) as needed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Control of six Easyhaler(®) handling steps and patients' satisfaction with Easyhaler(®) based on questionnaires.

RESULTS

Correct performances (minimum and maximum of the six steps) were noticed after one demonstration in 92-98% of the adults, 87-99% of the elderly, 81-96% of the children and 83-99% of the adolescents. These figures had markedly increased at the last visit. Repeat instructions were necessary in 26% of the cases. Investigators found Easyhaler(®) easy to teach in 87% of the patients and difficult in only 0.5%. Patients found Easyhaler(®) easy to learn and use, and the patients' (and parents') satisfaction with the inhaler was very high. Lung function values [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF)] improved statistically significantly during the studies, indicating good inhaler competence and treatment adherence.

CONCLUSION

Investigators found Easyhaler(®) easy to teach and patients found it easy to use, and their satisfaction with the device was high.