Inhaler Competence and Patient Satisfaction with Easyhaler(®): Results of Two Real-Life Multicentre Studies in Asthma and COPD

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate patients’ inhaler competence and satisfaction with the Easyhaler(®) dry powder inhaler. DESIGN: Two open, uncontrolled, non-randomised studies. SETTING: Real life based on patients attending 56 respiratory clinics in Hungary. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 1016). INTERVENTION: In a 3-month study, adult patients (age range 18–88 years; n = 797) received twice-daily inhalations of formoterol via Easyhaler(®), and in a consequential study (from one visit to another, with 3–12 months in-between) children and adolescents (age range 4–17 years; n = 219) received salbutamol via Easyhaler(®) as needed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Control of six Easyhaler(®) handling steps and patients’ satisfaction with Easyhaler(®) based on questionnaires. RESULTS: Correct performances (minimum and maximum of the six steps) were noticed after one demonstration in 92–98 % of the adults, 87–99 % of the elderly, 81–96 % of the children and 83–99 % of the adolescents. These figures had markedly increased at the last visit. Repeat instructions were necessary in 26 % of the cases. Investigators found Easyhaler(®) easy to teach in 87 % of the patients and difficult in only 0.5 %. Patients found Easyhaler(®) easy to learn and use, and the patients’ (and parents’) satisfaction with the inhaler was very high. Lung function values [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF)] improved statistically significantly during the studies, indicating good inhaler competence and treatment adherence. CONCLUSION: Investigators found Easyhaler(®) easy to teach and patients found it easy to use, and their satisfaction with the device was high.