PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Demosthenes Bouros
AU  - Mina Evangeliou
TI  - Critical steps: An evaluation of critical handling errors with DPI use in Greece
AID  - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.PA3944
DP  - 2016 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - PA3944
VI  - 48
IP  - suppl 60
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/48/suppl_60/PA3944.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/48/suppl_60/PA3944.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2016 Sep 01; 48
AB  - Background: Correct inhalation is crucial for effective drug delivery in asthma and COPD therapy. Studies report that up to 85% of patients do not use their inhalers correctly. To date there are no studies assessing DPI use in COPD or asthma patients in Greece.Aims: The primary aim of the current study was to assess the usability of three commonly used DPI devices in Greece.Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective, observational study. Device use assessment was performed at baseline, immediately after correct use demonstration by the investigator, and the final visit (day 30), and it was based on 8-step device-specific checklists. The primary variable was the number of critical errors observed at baseline and final visit. The FSI-10 questionnaire was utilized to record patients' feeling of satisfaction from inhaler use.Results: In this study 755 patients (346 COPD) were enrolled from 54 centers and 739 completed the study. The total number of critical errors observed at baseline was 92 for (Diskus®), 93 for (Elpenhaler®) and 106 for (Turbuhaler®), while a month later the number of critical errors decreased to 61 for (Diskus®), 31 for (Elpenhaler®) and 86 for (Turbuhaler®). All patients were at least fairly satisfied by their inhalers.Conclusions: The number of critical errors decreased in all tested devices a month later, suggesting that patient education is of paramount importance when prescribing an inhaled therapy. The low reported error rates suggest adherence to therapy and better disease control.