PURPOSE
The aims of current study were to assess the inhaler competency and medication adherence, and to identify association of inhaler competency with medication adherence in patients with obstructive lung disease.
METHODS
We did a secondary analysis of the Hanyang Obstructive Pulmonary Evaluation data in a single institution from June 2014 to April 2015 after an approval of Institutional Review Board. A total of 150 patients with asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease participated in the study. Inhaler competency was evaluated accuracy in each step for using metered dose inhaler. Medication adherence was calculated using actually dispensed doses based on the prescribed inhaler doses.
RESULTS
Older adults (> or =65) had lower competency in using inhaler (66.7 vs 83.3, z=-4.52, p<.001) and poorer medication adherence (67.7 vs 91.8, chi2=14.06, p<.001) than adults (<65). Inhaler competency was associated with medication adherence (p=.26, p=.001). Surprisingly, more than 50% of patients were current smokers.
CONCLUSION
Inhaler competency and medication adherence were lower in older adults with obstructive lung disease than those in adult-age patients. Therefore, an individual education program for older patients should be developed to improve the rates of proper use of inhalers. Nursing management for obstructive lung disease should focus on developing behavioral intervention strategies for smoking cessation.

Citations

• Interpretation of Pulmonary Function Tests and Optimization of Inhalation Therapy
  Sung Yoon Lim, Ho Il Yoon
  The Korean Journal of Medicine.2021; 96(3): 209.     CrossRef
• Effects of a tailored inhaler use education program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
  Yu Mi Kim, Mi Yu, Hye Ri Moon, Sun Young Ju, Gyeong Ae Lee, Min Jin Kim
  Patient Education and Counseling.2020; 103(4): 717.     CrossRef