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Patients who report medium-to-high impact of asthma on their quality of life (QoL) are significantly less likely to report satisfaction with their dry powder inhaler device compared with those who report low-to-medium impact of their disease, according to study findings published in the Journal of Asthma.
The study was based on an online survey conducted from November to December 2019 in 1063 patients with asthma who were treated with inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting β2-agonist via dry powder inhaler device. Approximately 66% of respondents reported their asthma had a medium or high impact on their overall QoL. The mean duration of asthma in the overall population was 20.2±13.6 years, and patients used their current device for an average of 28±2.82 months. A 1- to 7-point scale was used to assess impact of asthma on daily life. Approximately 14% of patients reported high impact, 53% reported medium impact, and 34% reported low impact.
While 61% of patients reported that they were highly satisfied with their current device, patients who reported medium-to-high impact of their asthma on QoL were less likely to report satisfaction with their current device compared with those who reported a low-to-medium impact (55% vs 67%, respectively; P <.001).
The attributes most requested from a new device by participants included “higher number of available doses,” “clear dose counter,” “usability,” and “feedback on correct inhalation.” Responses to the survey indicated many patients desired user-friendly devices capable of providing feedback on appropriate drug administration.
A total of 23% of patients reported they had considered changing their device. A higher proportion of patients with medium-to-high vs low-to-medium impact of asthma on QoL said they considered switching devices at some point during their treatment (32% vs 15%, respectively; P =.003). A total of 583 patients actually switched their inhaler, and 75% did so based on a recommendation by their health care provider.
A limitation of this survey study was the exclusive reliance on patient-reported outcomes, rather than clinical outcomes data as a measured in a laboratory or clinic. As such, findings from this survey limit the ability to infer conclusions on the efficacy of received treatments.
The investigators emphasize that the most important finding from this study was “the demand for user-friendly devices that provide feedback on correct drug administration as a clear unmet need in asthmatic patients and poor general QoL.”
Disclosure: Some study authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.
Reference
Contoli M, Barile S, Nudo E, Guastalla D, Braido F. Exploring quality of life and satisfaction with treatment in asthmatic patients receiving dry powder inhalers: a multinational survey. J Asthma. Published online May 3, 2021. doi:10.1080/02770903.2021.1923739
