Influence of sex in inhaler technique, adherence to treatment and control of Asthma.

Medication adherence and correct handling of inhalers are important factors to determine the therapeutic efficiency in patients with asthma. Objective: To assess dry powder inhalers technique and adherence and the influence of these modifiable variables in asthma control, according to the patient9s sex. Material and Methods: Prospective longitudinal multicenter study. We recruited 64 asthmatic patients who had not used dry powder inhalers before. Inhaler technique errors were quantified and asthma control was assessed using the Asthma control test (ACT) and Asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) at the first visit and two months later. The therapeutic adherence was measured by Morisky-Green Test and the test of Adherence to Inhalers (TAI). Results: We recruited 28 men and 36 women, with similar baseline characteristics. There were differences in the inhaler technique at first evaluation(V1-1), although they disappeared after giving written instructions (V1-2), and explain them the technique and reevaluating two months later (V2). Males had better adherence in Morisky-Green test, although without differences in the TAI 10 first items (TAI_1) or in the last 2 (TAI_2). Asthma control was similar after two months of treatment (ACT and ACQ). Conclusions: Male had initially worse inhaler technique, although it was similar two months later. Both sexes had bad adherence to treatment by TAI. Asthma control was similar after two months of treatment.