Comparing asthma and COPD inhaler devices in real life clinical practice in the UK: differences in training requirements and preference

Background: Most patients use their inhaler devices incorrectly (Price et al Eur Respir J 2014), but many medical centres lack sufficient resources to train patients (pts). Aims/Objectives: To compare the time needed to achieve device mastery between Spiromax and other commonly prescribed inhalers, and to assess inhaler preferences. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study in asthma and COPD review clinics in the UK assessing pts using their current inhalers (DuoResp Spiromax, Symbicort Turbohaler, Advair Diskus [DPIs] or Ventolin Evohaler [pMDI]) [session 1], and 2 sequentially allocated alternative devices [session 2 and 3]. The duration of training sessions required to reach error-free device mastery was captured. All pts completed a customized Asthma/COPD device preference questionnaire (adapted from a validated questionnaire). Results: On average, pts (asthma n=93; COPD n=79) achieved device mastery faster with Spiromax compared to the other DPI devices (Table 1) [p Conclusions: Asthma and COPD pts achieved device mastery faster with Spiromax vs other devices. Also, asthma and COPD pts preferred Spiromax vs the other DPI devices. Asthma patients preferred the pMDI.