Inhaled antibiotic treatment. Tolerance, compliance and quality of life

Multicenter, prospective, observational, analytical cohort study. Objective: To compare tolerance, quality of life and compliance in self-administration of antibiotics, by jet nebulizers or electronic devices. Material and methods: Adult patients with bronchiectasis (BQ) of any etiology, with chronic bronchial infection by P. aeruginosa following nebulized antibiotic treatment by a jet nebulizer and high flow compressor for at least two months before being included in the study. The selection of patients was carried out consecutively for outclinic patients diagnosed of bronchiectasis in every Respiratory Department participating in the study. Clinical data and respiratory function were recorded. Compliance, tolerance and quality of life questionnaires (St George and SF36) before and after every period of treatment were also requested. The data given by an electronic device in the electronic nebulizer giving doses information and drug administration periods were recorded. Results: Sixty eight patients (51% female, mean age 61±19, FEV1 57±20%) from 9 different Hospitals were included. Both devices showed no differences concerning preparation time and device cleaning, nor treatment adherence. However, the use of the electronic device significantly decreased nebulization time interlude (p Conclusions: Electronic nebulizers seem to be better tolerated, save time and improve the patient9s quality of life.