Status of inhalation therapy in bronchial asthma in adults above twelve years of age in armed forces.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of inhalation therapy in bronchial asthma in terms of frequency of its use, role of general physicians and general practitioners in prescribing inhalation therapy, role of inhaled steroids and B2 agonists, concurrent use of oral drugs, technique of using inhaler devices, use of spacer devices and peak flow monitoring.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 150 patients (76 males, 74 females) of bronchial asthma over 12 years of age referred to chest clinic of a tertiary care hospital for inadequate control were interviewed on the basis of a questionnaire and screening of prescription and case records wherever available.

RESULTS: 127 (84.6%) patients were on inhalation therapy and maximum number of prescriptions was by general physicians (81%). The dosages of inhaled steroids were less than 400 mg in 60 (83.3%) cases and 26 (36%) patients discontinued it after some time. All patients were on beta-2 agonist inhalers and 74 (58.3%) patients were using these on regular basis. The concurrent use of oral short acting B2 agonist and oral steroids was seen in 107 (84%) and 41 (32.2%) patients respectively. Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) were most frequently used inhaler devices in 100 (78.7%) cases followed by rotahalers in 27 (21%) cases. The technique of using MDI and rotahalers was incorrect in 64 (64%) and 7 (25.9%) cases respectively. Spacer devices were used rarely and none of the patients were monitored by peak flow rates.

CONCLUSIONS: Although inhalation therapy was being prescribed in large number of patients, more so by general physicians, yet the therapy was not being effective considering the fact that the referral to chest clinic in all the cases was for uncontrolled asthma. The main reasons for ineffective inhalation therapy were, underuse of inhaled steroids, overuse of B2 agonists and incorrect use of inhaler devices. There is an urgent need to educate general physicians especially in regards to usefulness of inhaled steroids, as on demand use of B2 agonists, demonstration of correct inhalation technique to patients, use of spaces devices and peak flow monitoring.