[Use of drugs for CNSLD (asthma and COPD) in Dutch residential homes and nursing homes].

Of the 1019 residents of eight dutch homes for the elderly and 699 patients of five nursing homes, respectively 6.0 and 8.1% were administered drugs for chronic non-specific lung disease (CNSLD), which is a term covering asthma as well as copd. The treatment consisted of, usually inhaled, beta-agonists and/or anti-cholinergics in 82%, inhaled as well as oral corticosteroids in 60%, and xanthine-derivates and N-acetylcysteïne, both of which were taken orally, in 28 and 21% of the patients respectively. It was found that almost half (47%) of the patients using inhaled drugs, which 90% of them did either with or without help, made at least three mistakes during inhalation. Considering that CSNLD is probably underdiagnosed, especially when it occurs as a cause of co-morbidity and will have an unfavourable influence on the general state of health by reducing lung function, the suboptimal application of inhaled drugs should be a cause of concern for those who treat elderly patients with asthma and or copd.