Asthmatic children and MDI verbal inhalation technique counseling

Abstract Objectives The present work aimed to study the role of metered-dose inhalers (MDI) verbal counseling on asthmatic children patients inhalation technique and their pulmonary functions. Methods In this study many children younger than 18 years old with asthma were collected from University hospital outpatient clinics throughout two years period Their MDI inhalation technique was checked and the number of MDI inhalation technique mistakes were detected and corrected at the first visit and every month for two more visits (three visits). Their peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) as a percentage of the forced vital capacity (FVC) were checked at every visit. Results 81 asthmatic subjects (54 female) younger than 18 years old were collected with a mean (SD) age 14.4 (1.8) years old. Most of the patients' owned MDI contained salbutamol, however, some patients were using Beclometasone MDI or Beclometasone and salbutamol combination MDI. The mean number of correct steps performed was significantly increased (p  Conclusions MDI's verbal counseling should be repeated and checked at every opportunity, especially with children, to improve and maintain the recommended MDI inhalation technique. That could be a tool to possibly improve patients' pulmonary functions.