Inhaler technique education and asthma control among patients hospitalized for asthma in Jordan

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effect of inhaler technique education delivered by a clinical pharmacist to patients hospitalised for asthma, on inhaler technique scores and asthma control at three months post-discharge. Methods: This pre-post interventional study in Jordan enrolled patients who had been admitted for asthma and were using controller medication by Accuhaler [Diskus] (ACC), Turbuhaler (TH) or Pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI). Inhaler technique was assessed using published checklists (score 0–9). Asthma symptom control was assessed by Asthma Control Test (ACT, range 5–25). Patients were assessed on admission (baseline), pre-discharge, and 3 months later. All patients received a ‘Show-and-Tell’ inhaler technique counseling service prior to discharge. Results: Baseline data were available for 140 patients, 71% females, mean age 52.7 (SD 16.64) years, mean ACT score 10.0 (SD 4.8). Mean inhaler score was 7.5 (SD 1.52) with no significant difference between the inhaler groups (p = 0.174). After pre-discharge training, all patients had correct technique (score 9/9). After 3 months, mean inhaler scores were significantly higher than at baseline (8.14 (SD 0.87, p < 0.001), with mean change significantly higher for TH 1.21 (SD 2.25) and ACC 0.85 (SD 0.97) than pMDI (0.16; SD 0.72), p = 0.001. Symptom control improved significantly for all patients, with a mean increase in ACT score of 7.54 (SD 8.18), with no significant difference between the inhaler device groups (p = 0.326). Conclusions: Patients hospitalized for asthma achieved correct inhaler technique after training by a pharmacist, and maintained better technique at 3 months than on admission. Significant improvements in ACT scores were documented for all inhaler groups. Keywords: Inhaler technique, Asthma control, Asthma knowledge, Pharmaceutical care, Hospitalized asthma patients, Jordan