International Journal of COPD (Jun 2020)

The Relationship Between Clinical Trial Participation and Inhaler Technique Errors in Asthma and COPD Patients

  • Perumal R,
  • Leite M,
  • van Zyl-Smit RN

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 15
pp. 1217 – 1224

Abstract

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Rubeshan Perumal,1 Marcia Leite,2 Richard Nellis van Zyl-Smit1,2 1Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa; 2UCT Lung Institute, University of Cape Town, Western Cape, South AfricaCorrespondence: Rubeshan Perumal Email [email protected]: Incorrect inhaler use is associated with poorer health outcomes, reduced quality of life, and higher healthcare utilisation in patients with asthma and COPD.Methods: We performed an observational study of pressurized metered-dose inhaler technique in patients with asthma or COPD. Patients were assessed using a six-point inhaler checklist to identify common critical inhaler technique errors. An inadequate inhaler technique was defined as the presence of one or more critical errors. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the odds of an inadequate inhaler technique.Results: During the 14-month study period, 357 patients were enrolled. At least one critical error was executed by 66.7% of participants, and 24.9% made four or more critical errors. The most common errors were failure to exhale completely prior to pMDI activation and inhalation (49.6%), failure to perform a slow, deep inhalation following device activation (48.7%), and failure to perform a breath-hold at the end of inspiration (47.3%). The risk of a critical error was higher in COPD patients (aOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.13– 4.47). Prior training reduced error risk specifically when trained by a doctor (aOR 0.08, 95% CI 0.1– 0.57) or a pharmacist (aOR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01– 0.26) compared to those with no training. Previous clinical trial participation significantly reduced error risk and rate: < 3 trials (aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.19– 0.66) and ≥ 3 trials (aOR 0.17, 95% CI 0.07– 0.42). The rate of critical errors was not significantly associated with age, sex, or prior pMDI experience.Conclusion: This study found a high rate of critical inhaler technique errors in a mixed population of asthma and COPD patients; however, prior training and, in particular, multiple previous clinical trial participation significantly reduced the risk of errors.Keywords: inhaler, pressurised metered-dose inhaler, clinical trials, asthma, COPD

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