INHALATION DEVICES MANAGEMENT AND BRONCHIAL ASTHMA CONTROL IN PATIENTS ATTENDED AT A PUBLIC OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN SOUTHERN MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional study, conducted between October 2016 and December 2017. A total of 147 patients of both sexes were evaluated, aged <18 to > 70 years old, diagnosed with bronchial asthma (BA). The patients were using an inhalation device (ID) for at least one (1) year and regularly on inhaled therapy for at least three (3) months, and in medical follow-up in Unified Health System (SUS) outpatient clinics. Self-knowledge was assessed through a semi-structured individual questionnaire. Among respondents, 58% (95% CI 49.8-65.8) were male and the most frequent age group was <18 years (39%, 95% CI 30.9-46.7). 75% (95% CI 67.8-81.8) of respondents use the metered-dose inhalers (MDI) and 25% (95% CI 18.2-32.2) dry powder inhalers (DPI). Regarding the use of ID, the most frequent age group was under 18 years old (40%), followed by 51-70 (26%), 19-30 (15%), 31-50 (12%) and above 70 (7%). For DPI, in the age group 51-70 years, there was a frequency of use equal 36%, followed by children under 18 years (23%), 19-30 (18%), 31-50 (16%) and above 70 (7%). There was no significant association between demographic and socioeconomic variables with BA control using IDs (p > 0.05). Most respondents had a knowledge of “satisfactory” to “good/optimal” about ID preservation and cleansing methods, but most had “unfamiliarity” about the correct execution of the inhalation techniques for the use of IDs, MDI, or DPI.