Narrative Review of the Role of Patient-Reported Outcomes and Inhaler Handling Errors in the Control of Asthma and COPD.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic respiratory diseases that remain uncontrolled in many patients, despite the wide range of therapeutic options available. This review analyzes the available clinical evidence on 3 budesonide/formoterol DPI devices, Spiromax®, Turbuhaler®, and Easyhaler®, in terms of patient-reported outcomes (PROs), inhaler errors, and asthma and COPD control. RECENT FINDINGS: The effectiveness of dry powder inhalers (DPI) depends largely on the device and the patient's inhaler technique. Equally important are the patient's perception of the inhaler and adherence. Given the high burden of these diseases, it is important that efforts be made to select the best DPI for each patient and to analyze the impact of these variables to help improve the health and quality of life of our patients. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the present knowledge about PROs, inhaler handling errors, and asthma and COPD control achieved by Spiromax®, Turbuhaler®, and Easyhaler®.

Papel del farmacéutico comunitario en el reciclado de inhaladores: estudio AIRE / The role of the community pharmacist in inhaler recycling inhaler recycling: AIRE study

Objetivo: describir el grado de conocimiento que poseen los usuarios de medicamentos inhalados, respecto al correcto reciclaje de los mismos, indagando cómo y por quién han recibido dicha información y su conocimiento sobre la importancia de los inhaladores recargables. Métodos: estudio epidemiológico, observacional, transversal y multicéntrico realizado en 22 farmacias comunitarias de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. Se diseñó un cuestionario de conocimiento y actitudes sobre el uso y reciclado de inhaladores en pacientes mayores de edad en tratamiento con los mismos.Resultados: desde 22 farmacias comunitarias se incluyeron a 303 sujetos (edad media 57,5±19,9 años; 46,7 % varones; tiempo medio de uso de inhaladores 9,6±9,8 años; motivo de uso: asma: 46,2 %, EPOC: 25,7 %). El 66,2 % y el 67,5 % de los usuarios otorgan una elevada importancia al reciclado de inhaladores y a disponer del mismo inhalador recargable mensualmente cada 6 meses, respectivamente. En cuanto al reciclado, el 42,9 % de los usuarios lo hacía en el punto SIGRE de la farmacia. Solo el 33 % refería haber sido informado alguna vez sobre dónde depositar el inhalador y, en este caso, era el farmacéutico el que lo indicaba en la mayoría de las ocasiones (76,3 %).Conclusiones: a pesar de que la mayoría de los usuarios considera que es importante el reciclado de inhaladores, y de disponer de inhaladores recargables, sólo un tercio refiere haber sido informados sobre el sitio de depósito. Son necesarias campañas de información acerca de la importancia del reciclado de inhaladores y de cómo hacerlo. En este contexto, el farmacéutico comunitario jugaría un papel esencial. (AU)

Objectives: To ascertain where and how inhalers were removed after finalizing their use, and todetermine how the information about recycling was received, as well as the importance of having reusableinhalers.Methods: Epidemiological, observational, cross-sectional and multicenter study performed in thecommunity pharmacies of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, through the application of a voluntaryand anonymous questionnaire that analyzed the knowledge and attitudes regarding the recycling ofinhalers among adult users treated with inhalers.Results: From 22 community pharmacies, a total of 303 subjects (mean age 57.5±19.9 years; 46.7%men; mean time of inhalers` use 9.6±9.8 years; reason for use: asthma: 46.2%, COPD: 25.7%) were included.Overall, 66.2% and 67.5% of users gave a high importance to the recycling of inhalers and the availabilityof having a monthly rechargeable inhaler every 6 months, respectively. With regard to recycling, 42.9% ofusers recycled in the SIGRE point of the pharmacy. Only 33% of users had been informed about the placeof delivering the inhaler, and in this context, in most cases this was performed by the pharmacist (76.3%).Conclusions: Despite the majority of users consider that it is important the recycling of inhalersand the availability of re-usable inhalers, only one third refer having been informed about the place ofdelivering the inhaler. Information campaigns about the importance of recycling of inhalers and how to doit are warranted. In this setting, the community pharmacist could play a key role. (AU)