Inhalation technique in children and adolescents: development of an observational study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0223e.44824Keywords:
asthma; children; adolescent; bronchodilatorsAbstract
Introduction: For asthma treatment to be effective, it is essential that the pediatric population demonstrate good treatment adherence, have their asthma properly controlled, and use inhalation techniques correctly; however, this is not always the case.
Objective: To assess asthma control by analyzing treatment adherence and the proper use of inhalation techniques.
Methods: This was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The ACT or CARAT Kids questionnaires were used to assess asthma control, a questionnaire was used to assess treatment adherence, and placebo inhalers were used to assess inhalation technique. The sample consisted of 54 children and adolescents (aged 6 to 17 years) diagnosed with asthma who were using pMDI or DPI bronchodilators.
Results: Most participants (76%) had good treatment adherence; however, 78% had uncontrolled asthma, and 74% did not perform the inhalation technique correctly. After being shown the correct way to perform the inhalation technique, only 54% of the participants were able to correct their technique. Among the participants with poor treatment adherence, all had uncontrolled asthma, regardless of how they performed the inhalation maneuver.
Conclusion: The main cause of poor treatment adherence was forgetfulness, and the most common errors involved shaking the bronchodilator and hand-lung coordination. Thus, this study underscores the importance of regularly assessing how the inhalation technique is performed.
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