Chiesi UK & Ireland has published new research revealing significant gaps in the understanding and practice of inhaler use among UK asthma patients.
The study published in the BMJ Open Respiratory Research involved weighing returned, used inhalers to assess the number of doses remaining, complemented by a survey of almost 200 patients.
Approximately 7.2 million people in the UK are affected by asthma, a long-term lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
Patients can experience symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, a cough and a tight chest, which can be effectively controlled with inhalers and other medicines.
However, incorrect inhaler use can compromise disease control, which is especially concerning in the event of an exacerbation, with two-thirds of UK asthma deaths considered preventable.
Patients can be supported to act at the appropriate time in a number of ways, including taking note of the time period their inhaler doses are expected to cover, and using inhalers with dose counters.
Chiesi’s research showed that more than 50% of UK patients do not know when their inhaler is empty, with many continuing use once empty.
While 74.9% of those surveyed reported using a dose counter to determine when their inhaler was empty, 24.6% said they used the absence of medicine being dispensed as an indicator.
Other common indicators included when the pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) felt empty on shaking (22.6%), and when the pMDI stopped ‘puffing’ (19.1%).
Anna Murphy, consultant respiratory pharmacist and study co-author, said: “This research shines a light on a concerning reality that patients lack the knowledge to know when to replace their inhaler device. Patients may therefore be at risk of serious exacerbations and, potentially, hospitalisation due to overuse of their inhalers.”
Rachel Malone, head of medical at Chiesi UK and study author, added: “Looking forward, we must raise awareness of the ways patients can be supported in understanding when their inhaler is running low, so that they can ensure they have the necessary medicine available to maintain disease control or in the event of an exacerbation.
“It is crucial that patients and care teams are equipped with fundamental knowledge on proper inhaler use…”