RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Influence of Gender on Inhaler Technique
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 1470
OP 1477
DO 10.4187/respcare.06917
VO 65
IS 10
A1 Birsen Ocakli
A1 Ipek Ozmen
A1 Eylem Acarturk Tuncay
A1 Sinem Gungor
A1 Aylin Ozalp
A1 Yesim Yasin
A1 Nalan Adiguzel
A1 Gokay Gungor
A1 Zuhal Karakurt
YR 2020
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/65/10/1470.abstract
AB BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the influence of gender on the inhaler technique of subjects on inhaler therapy and to determine the factors predicting the correct inhaler technique and a change of inhaler device.METHODS: A total of 568 adult subjects (276 male, 292 female) on inhaler therapy were included in this cross-sectional, observational study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, inhaler therapy, subject-reported difficulties, and technician-reported errors in inhaler technique were recorded.RESULTS: A change of inhaler device was noted in 71.0% of male subjects and 77.4% of female subjects, and this was based on the physicians’ decision in most cases (41.7% and 51.7%, respectively). A higher percentage of female subjects reported difficulties with using inhalers (63.7% vs 40.6%, P < .001). Overall, having received training on the inhaler technique was associated with a higher likelihood of correct inhaler technique (odds ratio 12.56, 95% CI 4.44–35.50, P < .001) and a lower risk of device change (odds ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.27–0.77, P = .004).CONCLUSIONS: Errors in the inhaler technique, including inhalation maneuvers and device handling, were common in subjects on inhaler therapy. Subject-reported difficulties with using inhalers were more prevalent among female subjects, whereas errors in the inhaler technique identified by direct observation were similarly high in both genders. Overall, a lack of training on the inhaler technique predicted a higher likelihood of errors in the inhaler technique and a change of inhaler device.