Introduction:

In Colombia, there is limited data on the use of inhalers in patients with COPD.

Objective:

The objective was to describe the technique of using metered-dose inhalers and dry powder in patients in a Colombian hospital.

Methods:

Observational, descriptive study of patients over 40 years of age with COPD, treated in a hospital in La Virginia, Risaralda, Colombia, between September 1st, 2019 and January 31st, 2020. The unit of analysis were patients in consultation. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, and a checklist for use of inhalers were included. Frequencies and proportions were applied for discrete variables, statistics of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables.

Results:

A total of 104 patients with an average age of 73.6 ± 10.1 years were included; 57 were women (54.8%). In addition, 48 patients were classified as GOLD-D (46.2%). Similarly, 89 patients reported having received education on the use of bronchodilators (85.6%). The most common were metered-dose (MD) inhalers in 95 cases (91.3%), followed by single-dose dry powder inhalers in eight patients (7.7%). Likewise, 37 patients who used DM without inhalochamber (35.6%) did not comply with the steps of the checklist. In the multidose system, the most performed was to properly close the inhaler and the least performed was to expel the air slowly, avoiding doing so near the inhaler (n=6; 5.7%).

Discussion:

The characteristics of the technique of using inhalers in patients with COPD were described. Although no patient was able to use the inhaler "perfectly", most have received education from health professionals.

Conclusion:

A high percentage of patients misuse the devices to deliver bronchodilators. This can negatively impact the control of the disease.