Delivery characteristics and patients' handling of two single-dose dry-powder inhalers used in COPD.

For optimal efficacy, an inhaler should deliver doses consistently and be easy for patients to use with minimal instruction. The delivery characteristics, patients' correct use, and preference of two single-dose dry powder inhalers (Breezhaler and HandiHaler) were evaluated in two complementary studies. The first study examined aerodynamic particle size distribution, using inhalation profiles of seven patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The second was an open-label, two-period, 7-day crossover study, evaluating use of the inhalers with placebo capsules by 82 patients with mild to severe COPD. Patients' correct use of the inhalers was assessed after reading written instructions on Day 1, and after training and 7 days of daily use. Patients' preference was assessed after completion of both study periods. Patient inhalation profiles showed average peak inspiratory flows of 72 L/minute through Breezhaler and 36 L/minute through HandiHaler. For Breezhaler and HandiHaler, fine particle fractions were 27% and 10%, respectively. In the second study, correct use of Breezhaler and HandiHaler was achieved by > 77% of patients for any step after 7 days; 61% of patients showed an overall preference for Breezhaler and 31% for HandiHaler (P = 0.01).Breezhaler is a low-resistance inhaler suitable for use by patients with a range of disease severities. Most patients used both inhalers correctly after 7 days, but more patients showed an overall preference for the Breezhaler compared with the HandiHaler. These are important factors for optimum dose delivery and successful COPD management.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes

Introduction

A patient’s ability to use an inhaler correctly and their preference for the inhaler are both important factors in selecting an appropriate treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).1 Incorrect handling of inhalation devices is common in COPD and is influenced not only by patient-related factors (eg, physical ability) but also by the type of inhaler prescribed and the adequacy of patient education.2–4 Poor handling and inhalation technique may result in suboptimal drug delivery to the lower airway,2,5–7 which can ultimately reduce compliance and prevent successful disease management.8,9

The aerodynamic size of drug particles generated by inhalers is critical in determining the distribution and deposition of drug within the lung, with the fine particle fraction or FPF (defined as fraction of particles less than 5 μm in diameter) generally considered optimum to deposit in the bronchi and alveoli. Thus, dose delivery from a dry powder inhaler (DPI) depends not only on correct handling and inhalation, but also on the inhaler’s internal resistance and its ability to generate sufficient fine particles to ensure drug deposition in the lower airway.10 High-resistance devices require greater effort by the patient to achieve inspiratory flows adequate to ensure FPF dose delivery,11 and some patients with significant pulmonary disease cannot generate these flows.12,13

Inhaled long-acting bronchodilators are used for the treatment of patients with moderate and more severe COPD,14 with two agents available for once-daily administration. Indacaterol is a novel, inhaled, once-daily, ultra-long-acting β2-agonist15 delivered by a single-dose DPI known as the Breezhaler® in some countries, and approved in more than 40 countries for maintenance treatment in COPD. The other once-daily inhaled bronchodilator is the anticholinergic, tiotropium, delivered by a single-dose DPI called the HandiHaler®.

This paper presents the results of two complementary studies. The first was an in vitro study evaluating the dose delivery characteristics from the single-dose DPIs used with indacaterol (Onbrez® Breezhaler® [Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland]) and tiotropium (Spiriva® HandiHaler ® [Boehringer-Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany]). The two inhalers were compared under a range of simulated inspiratory flow conditions modeled from data obtained from COPD patients with disease severities ranging from mild to severe. The second study assessed patients’ correct use and preference for Breezhaler and HandiHaler using placebo capsules.

Methods

In-vitro dose delivery study

The aerodynamic particle distribution of indacaterol 150 μg via Breezhaler and tiotropium 18 μg via HandiHaler was measured using a standard Next Generation Impactor (NGI, MSP Corporation, Shore view, MN) with pre-separator and induction port coupled to a flow-volume simulator (Figure 1). Neutral sum air flow at experimental rest was required to facilitate particle generation during the simulated breathing maneuvers and was achieved by an auxiliary air supply at the mixing inlet and vacuum pump at the impactor outlet at 100 L/minute and 60 L/minute, respectively, for the Breezhaler and HandiHaler. The patients’ breathing patterns were reproduced at the mouthpiece of the DPIs by modulating the air flow using the computer-controlled flow-volume simulator. Three replicate measurements were obtained for each simulated patient flow profile, using a new DPI for each determination. The simulated flow profiles closely resembled the original patient flow profiles with <3% mean relative difference over all flow values.

Figure 1

Experimental set-up with flow/volume simulator.

Abbreviation: DPI, dry powder inhaler.

Seven patient inhalation flow profiles were chosen from a group of profiles obtained from 28 patients. The profiles were selected to cover disease severities from moderate to severe and a representative range of patient age, gender and airflow obstruction. In addition, the technical specification of the experimental apparatus determined that the selected profiles were within maximum peak inspiratory flows of 100 L/minute. This is the maximum possible that can be achieved through the NGI in order to measure aerodynamic particle size distribution when simulating recorded patient flow patterns.

Quantification of indacaterol and tiotropium depositions from the NGI analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography on two samples from each NGI component. Fine particle dose and particle size (defined by median mass aerodynamic diameter) were measured and geometric standard deviation (GSD) determined. GSD is a measure of the variability of the particle diameters within the aerosol. An aerosol with a GSD of 1 is described as monodisperse (uniform diameter distribution); an aerosol with a GSD > 1.2 is heterodisperse (heterogeneous particle distribution).16

Based on the results of the particle size analysis, the theoretical respiratory tract deposition (extrathoracic, representing the portion ‘lost’ through oropharyngeal deposition, versus intrathoracic, delivered to the lower airways) for each of the patient breathing profiles was estimated using a semi-empirical deposition model for healthy lungs.17

The in vitro dose delivery study was carried out at Inamed Research GmbH and Co KG, Gauting, Germany.

Assessment of patients’ correct use of, and preference for, inhalers

This was a multicenter study conducted in Canada and the USA. The protocol was approved by the appropriate institutional review board for each participating center (Institutional Review Board Services, Aurora, Ontario L4G 0A5, Canada; Quorum Review, Inc., Seattle WA 98101, USA; Dean Institutional Review Board, Middleton WI 53562, USA).

Patients

The study enrolled co-operative male and female patients aged ≥40 years with a clinical diagnosis of mild to severe COPD18 (post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] >30% predicted; FEV1/forced vital capacity < 70%) and smoking history ≥10 pack-years. The patients required use of inhaled medication in the management of their COPD, but had no previous experience of either study inhaler (or the similar DPI Foradil® Aerolizer® [Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland] used to administer the twice-daily bronchodilator formoterol). Patients gave their written informed consent before any assessment was performed.

Study design

This was an open-label, multicenter, two-period, 7-day crossover study (Figure 2). Patients used Breezhaler or HandiHaler with placebo capsules once daily each for 7 days in random sequence, in addition to their usual treatment. On Day 1, patients were asked to read written instructions for correct use of the inhaler, similar to that provided by the manufacturers with the prescribed medications, and had 30 minutes to practice using the inhaler (without the capsule); they were given no verbal training or demonstration at this time. Patients were then given the blister containing the capsules and asked to demonstrate their use of the inhaler, under the observation of two trained respiratory assessors. This provided an assessment of first use on the basis of written instructions for use only.

Figure 2

Study design.

The same assessors recorded each patient’s ability to perform each of the 21 steps required for correct use of Breezhaler and the 19 steps for HandiHaler, using an assessment checklist for correct use prepared specifically for this study (for details of the checklists, see Table 4, Results). Steps were classed as correct (‘yes’ or ‘fully completed’) or incorrect (‘no’ or ‘not fully completed’). For each inhaler, two steps were identified as critical for appropriate dose delivery: full release of the piercing buttons (allowing capsule rotation), and exhalation away from the mouthpiece before inhalation. Study center personnel then trained the patients verbally and demonstrated (without capsules) how to use the inhaler properly before the patients went home. Training was standardized across the study centers. These procedures were repeated at the start of the second study treatment period. At the end of each treatment period (ie, on Day 7 of each period), patients’ correct inhaler use and inhalation technique were re-assessed by the same assessors. After the assessment at the end of the second treatment-period, patients were given both inhalers used during the study and had a few minutes to re-familiarize themselves with the two inhalers. They were then asked to complete the patient preference questionnaire (for questionnaire details, see Table 5, Results). The handling assessment checklist and preference questionnaire were developed by the study sponsor. In the absence of available validated assessment tools, the handling assessment checklist and preference questionnaire were developed using the patient information leaflets for the inhalers and previously published studies investigating inhaler use, and were not validated.

Table 4

Percentage of patients correctly completing each item of the checklists on Day 1 and Day 7

(a) Breezhaler checklist	Day 1	Day 7	(b) HandiHaler checklist	Day 1	Day 7
1. Pull off cap	100.0	100.0	1. Open the cap	98.8	97.5
2. Open mouthpiece	98.8	100.0	2. Open mouthpiece	96.3	97.5
3. Remove capsule from blister pack	98.8	100.0	3. Remove capsule from blister pack	93.8	97.5
4. Insert capsule in the inhaler	100.0	100.0	4. Insert capsule in the inhaler	98.8	100.0
5. Close inhaler – click heard	98.8	98.8	5. Close inhaler – click heard	98.8	98.8
			6. Pierce the capsule	95.1	98.8
6. Was the mouthpiece facing upwards?	96.3	97.5	7. Pierced once only	92.7	91.4
7. Pierce the capsule	97.5	96.3	8. Click/piercing noise heard by assessor	92.7	100.0
8. Pierced once only	95.1	90.0	9. Was inhaler held upright?	89.0	88.9
9. Click/piercing noise heard	93.8	95.0
10. Were both buttons pressed simultaneously?	95.1	97.5
11. Release buttons	90.2	97.5	10. Release button	88.9	96.3
12. Were buttons fully released before inhalation?a	92.7	96.3	11. Was button fully released before inhalation?a	87.7	98.8
13. Breathe out – not into mouthpiecea	84.1	85.2	12. Breathe out – not into mouthpiecea	80.2	81.3
			13. Was inhaler held horizontally during inhalation?	85.2	95.0
14. Inhale the medicine rapidly and steadily	87.8	93.8	14. Inhale the medicine slowly and deeply	88.9	93.8
15. Were the air inlets unobstructed by fingers?	92.7	91.4	15. Were the air inlets unobstructed by fingers?	91.4	95.0
16. Audible whirring noise	82.9	91.4
17. Hold breath for as long as is comfortable	84.1	77.8	16. Hold breath for as long as is comfortable	75.3	86.3
18. Check upon whether capsule has been fully emptied	80.5	77.8
19. If residue is remaining in capsule, did patient close inhaler and repeat steps 13–18	82.1	80.8	17. Did the patient repeat steps 12–16 to ensure full dose was taken from capsule?	69.1	83.8
20. Open inhaler, remove capsule, close inhaler and replace cap	95.1	96.3	18. Open cap, remove capsule, close and replace cap	88.9	97.5
21. Was capsule pierced at both ends?	93.9	98.8	19. Was capsule pierced at both ends?	95.1	96.3

Note: Prespecified as a particularly critical step.

Table 5

Patient preference questionnaire results

	Breezhaler	HandiHaler	No preference	P-valuec
1) Questions about the ease and comfort of using the inhalers
(a) Which is easier to remove/open the cap of the inhaler?	58.0	19.8	22.2	<0.001
(b) Which mouthpiece is easier to open?	64.2	9.9	25.9	<0.001
(c) Which is easier to insert the capsule in the inhaler?	24.7	44.4	30.9	0.059
(d) Which is easier to close (after inserting the capsule)?	38.3	14.8	46.9	0.005
(e) How comfortable is it to inhale medication through the inhaler?a				0.031
Mean (SD)	8.6 (1.67)	8.0 (2.10)
Median (range)	9.0 (1.0–10.0)	9.0 (1.0–10.0)
(f) Which is easier to hold while inhaling the medication?	59.3	21.0	19.8	<0.001
(g) Which is easier for removing the empty capsule?	30.9	46.9	22.2	0.136
(h) Which is easier to close after use?	35.8	23.5	40.7	0.244
(i) Overall, how simple is it to use the inhaler?a				0.046
Mean (SD)	8.8 (1.80)	8.2 (1.96)
Median (range)	9.0 (1.0–10.0)	9.0 (1.0–10.0)
2) Questions about trust and confidence in using the inhalers
(a)/(b) Do you use a specific check to ensure you have inhaled the medication?b				Not testedd
Any specific check	90.1	81.5
Listen to vibration/whirring	84.0	71.6
Other check	58.0	33.3
(c) How confident are you that you have taken the medication successfully?a				0.001
Mean (SD)	9.1 (1.37)	8.2 (2.29)
Median (range)	10.0 (4.0–10.0)	9.0 (1.0–10.0)
3) Question about overall preference
Which of the inhalers would you prefer to use on a daily basis?	60.5	30.9	8.6	0.010

Notes: Data are % of patients unless stated otherwise.

On 10-point scale from 1 = not at all to 10 = extremely;

Percentages for question 2 (a)/(b) were calculated using the full analysis set (Breezhaler, n = 82; HandiHaler, n = 81);

For comparison between inhalers;

Not tested, because item did not relate to a preference.

Objectives and outcomes

The primary objective of this study was to assess patients’ correct use of the two inhalers after 7 days of daily use, ie, under preferable conditions where the patient has read the instructions for use and has received verbal training and demonstration of correct use. Secondary objectives included the assessment of correct use after reading written instructions on Day 1, the performance of the two critical steps on Days 1 and 7, and patients’ preference between the inhalers. The comparison of the total handling scores, calculated from the device handling assessment checklists, and each item of the preference questionnaire, were exploratory objectives.

Statistical methods

Results for each step of the device handling assessment checklist were summarized by inhaler type as number and percentage of patients. A step was classified as correct if the response was either ‘yes’ or ‘fully completed’. If the responses differed between the assessors, the step was classed as incorrect. For each patient, a total handling score was calculated as the number (percentage) of checklist items with correct use out of the total number of items. The total handling scores for the two inhalers were summarized as percentages and compared using a mixed analysis of variance model (Stat Proc Mixed) with fixed effects for period and inhaler and a random effect for patient. The difference in total handling score is presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and associated P-value. Responses to each question in the preference questionnaire were summarized by inhaler type as number and percentage of patients. For questions eliciting a preference between the two inhalers a Mainland-Gart test was performed to allow for period effects, ignoring patients showing no preference. For responses on a 10-point scale, a mixed-model analysis of variance was used as described for the total handling score analysis.

A formal sample size calculation was not performed, because the study was exploratory in nature. The total number of 80 patients was chosen based on previous studies that had included approximately 60–70 patients.19,20

Results

A group of 28 inhalation profiles was reviewed and seven patient inhalation profiles were selected to be representative of a COPD population, including moderate and severe stages of COPD, an approximately equal number of males and females, and a range of ages and inhalation variables (Table 1 and Figure 3). The mean FPF was 26.8% of the 150 μg label claim for Breezhaler, while the mean FPF from the HandiHaler was 9.8% of the label claim (18 μg) (Table 2). The two inhalers generated particles of similar uniformity of size, but the mean size of the drug particles from the Breezhaler was smaller than those generated by the HandiHaler (3.2 μm compared with 3.9 μm).

Table 1

Patient demographics and derived inhalation variables through the two inhalers

Patient no.	Age (yr)	Gender	FEV1 (% pred.)	COPD	DP (cmH2O)		PIF (L/minute)		IV (L)		IT (seconds)
					BH	HH	BH	HH	BH	HH	BH	HH
1	74	Male	69	Moderate	24	31	80	34	2.2	1.9	2.5	6.3
2	69	Male	39	Severe	35	58	97	47	2.1	1.6	1.9	3.0
3	79	Male	58	Moderate	8	14	47	23	1.3	1.5	3.0	6.1
4	70	Female	74	Moderate	9	15	48	24	1.7	1.4	3.2	5.0
5	52	Female	68	Moderate	37	44	99	41	2.0	1.8	1.7	3.8
6	76	Female	66	Moderate	15	34	64	36	1.0	1.3	1.3	3.1
7	71	Female	49	Severe	19	61	72	48	1.8	1.5	2.0	2.3
Average	70	–	60	–	21	37	72	36	1.7	1.6	2.2	4.2

Abbreviations: FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; DP, pressure drop across inhaler; PIF, peak inspiratory flow; IV, inhaled volume; IT, inhalation time; BH, Breezhaler; HH, HandiHaler; yr, years.

Figure 3

Individual inhalation flow profiles for the selected patients through (A) Breezhaler and (B) HandiHaler.

Abbreviations: BH, Breezhaler; HH, HandiHaler.

Table 2

Characteristics of aerosols generated using patient inhalation profiles representative of moderate to severe COPD

Patient no.	Breezhaler					HandiHaler
	DD (μg)a	FPD (μg)b	FPF (%)c	MMAD (μm)d	GSDe	DD μg)a	FPD (μg)b	FPF (%)c	MMAD (μm)d	GSDe
1	112	46.6	31.1	3.1	1.9	7.9	1.7	9.6	3.9	1.9
2	113	47.8	31.9	3.0	1.9	8.0	1.9	10.4	3.7	1.8
3	83	27.1	18.0	3.5	2.0	6.7	1.4	7.6	4.4	1.8
4	96	32.6	21.7	3.5	1.9	7.8	1.8	10.0	4.2	1.8
5	113	47.9	31.9	2.9	1.9	6.9	1.7	9.4	3.8	1.8
6	87	33.4	22.3	3.2	2.0	8.2	2.0	10.9	3.8	1.8
7	111	45.8	30.5	3.0	1.9	7.8	2.0	10.9	3.9	1.9
Mean (SD)	102.0 (14.53)	40.2 (8.70)	26.8 (5.80)	3.2 (0.22)	2.0 (0.07)	7.6 (0.82)	1.8 (0.30)	9.8 (1.65)	3.9 (0.29)	1.8 (0.06)

Notes: Data are means for each patient profile.

DD, delivered dose (μg per capsule);

FPD, fine particle dose (particles ≤4.7 μm in diameter).

FPF, fine particle fraction (particles ≤4.7 μm in diameter) as % of label claim dose (indacaterol 150 μg via Breezhaler, tiotropium 18 μg via HandiHaler);

MMAD, median mass aerodynamic diameter (ie, the size of drug particles);

GSD, geometric standard deviation, a measure of the uniformity of particle size.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Mean estimated intrathoracic drug deposition as a percentage of the mean delivered dose (Table 2) was 31% for the Breezhaler and 22% for the HandiHaler (Figure 4). Mean estimated extrathoracic drug deposition was 57% for Breezhaler and 71% for HandiHaler.

Figure 4

Theoretical intrathoracic drug deposition as a percentage of delivered dose.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Eighty-three patients with COPD severities ranging from mild to severe were randomized. One patient was randomized in error and left the study before any Day 1 procedures had been carried out. This patient was not included in the analysis population, which comprised 82 patients (Table 3).

Table 3

Patients’ baseline characteristics (n = 82)

Age, years	63.9 (9.21)
Age group, n (%)
40–64 years	40 (49)
≥65 years	42 (51)
Male/female, %	60/40
BMI, kg/m2	29.3 (6.29)
BMI group, n (%)
≤30.0 kg/m2	49 (60)
>30.0 kg/m2	33 (40)
COPD severity, n (%)a
Mild	29 (35)
Moderate	41 (50)
Severe	10 (12)
Ex-smoker/smoker, %	50/50
Smoking history, pack-years	50.4 (27.52)
Duration of inhaled medication, n (%)
<5 years	58 (71)
5–9 years	13 (16)
10–14 years	5 (6)
≥15 years	6 (7)
Post-bronchodilator FEV1, Lb	2.0 ( 0.67)
Post-bronchodilator FEV1, % predictedb	73 (16.7)
Post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC, %b	60 ( 8.6)

Notes: Data are mean (standard deviation) unless otherwise stated.

Data missing for two patients whose post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC was >70%;

FEV1 and FVC were measured 10–15 minutes after inhalation of four puffs of salbutamol 100 μg (four puffs of albuterol 90 μg).

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC, forced vital capacity.

Patients’ correct inhaler use

The results for each checklist item on Days 1 and 7 are shown in Table 4. For most steps, the proportion of patients correctly performing the step increased from Day 1 to Day 7. On Day 7, each step was performed correctly by most patients (78%–100% for Breezhaler; 81%–100% for HandiHaler). For the critical step of fully releasing the button before inhalation, the Breezhaler score was similarly high on both days (93%, 96%), while for the HandiHaler the proportion of patients correctly completing this step changed by 11% from 88% (Day 1) to 99% (Day 7). The other critical step (breathing out away from the inhaler before inhalation) was completed correctly on Day 7 by 85% of patients with Breezhaler and 81% of patients using the HandiHaler. The percentage of patients without a critical error was 81% and 83% on Days 1 and 7, respectively, for Breezhaler, and 70% and 81% on Days 1 and 7, respectively, for HandiHaler.

Total handling scores on Day 7 (least squares means) were 93.5% for Breezhaler and 94.4% for HandiHaler, a mean difference of −1.0 (95% CI −3.0 to 1.1; P = 0.357). On Day 1, scores were 91.8% for Breezhaler and 90.6% for HandiHaler, a difference of 1.2 (95% CI −1.2 to 3.6; P = 0.333).

Patients’ inhaler preference

The results of the preference questionnaire are presented in Figures 5 and 6 and Table 5. In response to the overall preference question, more patients chose Breezhaler as their preferred inhaler to use on a daily basis (61% of patients) compared with HandiHaler (31%) (P = 0.010). For individual responses, Breezhaler was preferred for ease of opening the cap and mouthpiece (both P < 0.001), closing the mouthpiece after inserting the capsule (P = 0.005) and holding the inhaler (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant preferences for HandiHaler. The mean scores for the items scored on a 1–10 scale (comfort of inhalation, simplicity of use and confidence in successful intake of medication) were slightly greater with Breezhaler than with HandiHaler, and the differences in mean score were statistically significant (Figure 6).

Figure 5

Patient preference for the two inhalers with respect to the different steps in use.

Notes: **P ≤ 0.01; ***P < 0.001 between the two inhalers.

Figure 6

Patient preference for the two inhalers with respect to overall comfort, simplicity and confidence in use.

Notes: *P < 0.05; ***P ≤ 0.001 between the two inhalers. (Preference measured on a 10-point scale from 1 to 10.)

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

Discussion

Breath actuation was a major advantage when DPIs were developed, overcoming problems that patients had in coordinating actuation and inhalation with pressurized metered-dose inhalers. However, breath actuation also meant that patients had to generate an inspiratory effort to overcome the internal resistance of the DPIs. Breezhaler has a lower internal resistance than HandiHaler (specific airflow resistances of 2.2 and 5.1 × 10−2 kPa½L−1 minute, respectively).21 Thus, the Breezhaler requires less inspiratory effort to achieve a given inspiratory flow or, as reflected in the inspiratory flow profiles, permits a higher inspiratory flow for a given effort. We measured the inhalation patterns of 28 patients, subsequently using the profiles of seven patients as a result of various exclusion criteria, the main one being the 100 L/minute calibration limit of the measuring equipment. This limited the study to the potentially ‘poorer’ end of the inspiratory profiles for Breezhaler (as the low resistance permits inspiratory flows higher than the set limit) but not for the HandiHaler, since achievable inhalation flow rates for this higher-resistance inhaler would tend to be well within the calibration limit.

Although certain characteristics are desirable in terms of inhaler design, our in vitro comparisons of particles generated by the two inhalers should not be extrapolated directly to the clinical situation, where therapeutic doses are selected based on demonstrated pharmacodynamic responses. The higher FPF and the lower extrathoracic deposition of drug delivered by the Breezhaler compared with the HandiHaler are examples of such desirable properties. The higher FPF with Breezhaler (27%) relative to HandiHaler (10%) suggests that a higher proportion of the dose would be delivered to the smaller airways. A higher extrathoracic deposition (71% of the dose delivered by HandiHaler compared with 57% for Breezhaler) would reflect the amount of drug deposited in the mouth and oropharynx and swallowed, giving rise to systemic exposure and a risk of side effects. However, while particle size is determined by the inhaler, the distribution of particles in the lung depends on both particle size and inspiratory flow,22 and the bronchodilator effect of the drug particles is a complex function of local drug concentration, receptor and airway smooth muscle distribution and the pathology of the disease. While airway smooth muscle is relatively sparse in the alveolar region, this is where β2-adrenoceptor density is highest.23 A β2-agonist bronchodilator for COPD, this being a disease primarily of the small airways and alveoli, would ideally be delivered as small particles (FPF) and activate receptors in those regions. Muscarinic receptors on airway smooth muscle are located more densely in the lower trachea and bronchi than in the smaller airways.24

It was recently shown that patients with a wide range of COPD severity, including very severe, are able to generate adequate inspiratory flows with Breezhaler and that a consistent dose is delivered irrespective of disease severity and age.21 COPD patients with more severe airways obstruction have been shown to inhale slower through DPIs (compared with patients with less severe impairment) and may have problems achieving an adequate inspiratory flow through high-resistance DPIs.13,25,26 A trend towards increasing patient acceptability with decreasing inhaler resistance has been shown, although the effect plateaued as resistance continued to decrease.19

Inhaler resistance, although important, is not the only factor contributing to the acceptability of inhalers to patients. Patients found Breezhaler not only more comfortable to inhale through but also simpler to use, and they were more confident that the medication had been taken correctly. Significant differences in scores also favored Breezhaler over the HandiHaler for removing the cap and for opening and closing the mouthpiece. These initial impressions, after a relatively short familiarization period, may be very important to ensure adherence and continued use, which are poor with COPD patients.9,27 It seems intuitive that a patient is more likely to use an inhaler that they like and find easy to use, although studies in asthma patients have failed to show an association between inhaler preference and adherence.28,29 However, physical difficulty in handling medication has been identified as a significant predictor of low adherence.30

With the two inhalers evaluated in this study, the proportion of patients completing each step correctly generally increased over the 7 days, reflecting the effects of training and familiarization. For the critical step of releasing the button(s) prior to inhalation, scores were reasonably high on both days with Breezhaler (93% on Day 1 and 96% on Day 2), but were relatively poor (88%) on Day 1 with HandiHaler, increasing 11 percentage points by Day 7. With many inhalers, written instructions alone may be inadequate for successful use and training and familiarization through daily use are required before correct use can be achieved. This was also demonstrated by differences of 9%–11% in the proportion correctly completing other steps with HandiHaler (holding inhaler horizontally, breath holding, and the capsule-removal procedure). Because Day 1 scores were generally higher with Breezhaler, the differences between Day 1 and Day 7 scores were generally smaller. For the other critical step, about 15% of patients using the Breezhaler and 20% using the HandiHaler failed to breathe out away from the inhaler before inhalation on both Days 1 and 7.

These data highlight areas for focusing educational efforts. Continued education and monitoring of inhaler use improve adherence and are critical factors to successful management, and may well have equal or greater importance than inhaler type.1 It is known that initial appropriate use is lost over time,19 and continued evaluation of correct inhaler use by treating physicians is especially important among older patients and those receiving multiple medications.9,30,31

In conclusion, most patients used both inhalers correctly after 7 days. Patients preferred the Breezhaler overall and scored it more highly than the HandiHaler for the majority of questions in the preference questionnaire. Breezhaler is a low-resistance inhaler suitable for use by patients with a range of disease severities. These are important factors for ensuring optimum dose delivery, patient adherence with treatment and successful COPD management.