Evaluation of inhaler technique, adherence to therapy and their effect on disease control among children with asthma using metered dose or dry powder inhalers.

OBJECTIVE: To address the problems about correct use of inhaler devices, adherence to inhaler corticosteroid treatment and the effects of these problems on the control of asthma.
METHODS: Children with asthma were evaluated for the correct use of inhaler devices and adherence to therapy using a questionnaire. Effect of these on control of asthma was defined.
RESULTS: A hundred and seventy-one patients and/or their families were interviewed. The mean age was 8.29 ± 4.65 years (1-19) and 62.6% were male. Metered dose inhaler (MDI) with spacer was used by 119 (69.5%) patients and 52 (30.5%) used dry powder inhalers (DPIs). The devices were used correctly by 68.1% of patients using MDI and 34.6% of patients using DPI (p < 0.001). The most common improper step was "breathe in from the spacer 5-6 times or 10 s" for MDI (24.4%) and "exhale to residual volume" for DPI (51.9%). Frequency of correct use was higher in patients trained 3 times (p < 0.001). Asthma was controlled more frequently among correct users (p < 0.001). Partial or poor adherence was showed 22.8% of patients. Patients with mothers who had lower educational status had higher frequency of incorrect use of inhaler device (p = 0.007).
CONCLUSION: It was found that asthma control was better among correct users. Repetitive training about using devices may contribute improving inhaler technique. Especially children whose mothers had low education level and patients using DPI should be evaluated more carefully.