D2.83 - Correct Inhaler Technique as a Key Element of Asthma Management: Post-Education Evaluation of Patients' Knowledge

Improper use of inhalers can result in poor asthma control, highlighting the importance of personalized health education to enhance technique and treatment outcomes. This study explores the impact of a multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) program that includes personalized health education aimed at correcting inhaler technique and providing tailored care, with the goal of improving asthma control and inhaler usage.

The study included 50 asthma patients from the University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik (44 with problematic asthma and 6 with severe asthma), with an average age of 57.4 years, 52% were female. We assessed their knowledge of inhaler technique and the Asthma Control Test (ACT) score before and after multidisciplinary treatment (MDT), during which inhaler technique correction was performed. Three months after the intervention, both inhaler technique knowledge and ACT scores were re-evaluated.

In the pre-MDT group, only 42% of patients correctly used their inhalers and the median ACT score was 13. Three months after the MDT program, during which inhaler technique correction was implemented, this percentage increased to 80%. The post-MDT median ACT score was 20 (p=0.0002) which reflects a clinically significant improvement in self-reported asthma symptoms.

This study highlights the importance of tailored education in managing asthma, as it resulted in better inhaler technique and improved asthma control, demonstrating the effectiveness of comprehensive, individualized care.