Education With Inhalers in Patients With COPD Exacerbation

Evaluation of an Educational Intervention in the Management of Inhalers With Tablet and Ventilatory Reeducation: a Randomized Clinical Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a public health problem with great morbidity. The main therapeutic strategy is inhalers. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of an educational intervention in the use of inhalers in patients with COPD including ventilatory re-education and video recordings of the patients themselves.

The importance of this pathology lies not only in its high prevalence, which is expected to increase due to the aging of society but also in its high mortality. In Europe, it is estimated that 50% of adult patients do not use the inhaler correctly. The clinical development of COPD includes periods of stability interspersed with symptomatic exacerbations, which usually involve hospitalization. During these hospitalizations, respiratory symptoms are worsening.Nevertheless, in Europe, it is estimated that 50% of adult patients do not use the inhaler correctly. Thus, it is very important the pharmacological education in this patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion criteria were to be clinically diagnosed of exacerbation of COPD, to possess pharmacological treatment in the form of inhalers.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria were inability to provide informed consent, presence of psychiatric or cognitive disorders, neurological disorders, organ failure, cancer or inability to cooperate. Patients who had experienced an exacerbation of prior COPD in less than one month were excluded.