Evaluation of Proper Inhaler Use in Children with Acute Asthma Admitted to the Emergency Department: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the accuracy of the inhaler technique used among asthmatic patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) due to acute asthma attack. Materials and Methods: A total of 303 patients with childhood asthma were enrolled in this study. A survey consisting of 22 questions was conducted on patients and/or their parents during ED visits. Additionally, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors affect the use of rescue inhaler treatment. Results: In the study, although 258 patients were prescribed a rescue inhaler asthma treatment, only 212 (85.1%) used this treatment before the ED visits. Only 193 (78.4%) patients properly used an inhaler device. A total of 61 (23.7%) patients knew that they had run out of inhalers according to the number of doses recommended in the prospectus. According to multiple analysis, a close regular follow-up by the primary physician, by either allergist/immunologist or chest disease specialist, and the administration of inhaler by the parents were identified as independent risk factors for the use of rescue inhaler therapy. Conclusion: Only three-quarters of the patients were found to use rescue inhaler therapy correctly. The improper use of inhaler device was more common in adolescents who administered the drug themselves. Patients who were followed-up by either allergist/immunologist or chest disease specialist had a two times higher chance of using rescue inhaler therapy in this study.