What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify and understand patient-perceived barriers to inhaler use in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

July 31, 2026Indian Journal of Respiratory Care0 citationsOpen Access

Patient-perceived Barriers to Inhaler Use in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-sectional Study

RSRushikesh Sawarkar IMIsha Mehta VDVaishnavi Deshmukh

Key Points

To identify and understand patient-perceived barriers to inhaler use in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Cross-sectional study conducted on 132 COPD patients using purposive sampling.
Data collected on inhaler technique using dry powder inhaler (DPI) and metered-dose inhaler (MDI) checklists.
Assessment of correct inhalation practices and common errors during inhalation.
Only 14.3% of DPI users and 11.3% of MDI users exhibited correct inhalation technique.
Common errors included not holding breath after inhalation and incorrect inhalation pace.
Recommended interventions include integrating inhaler technique training into health curricula and providing professional support.

Abstract

Background:The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be the 3rd leading cause of death by 2030, while asthma affects 300 million people globally.Both are chronic inflammatory airway disorders causing high morbidity and mortality, with distinct features.Proper inhaler technique remains a major barrier to effective treatment, highlighting the need for this study.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 132 COPD patients using purposive sampling.Data were collected following the dry powder inhaler (DPI) and metered-dose inhaler (MDI) checklists to understand and assess the impact of inhaler technique usage and benefits to health.Results: Out of 132 COPD patients, 70 used DPIs, and 62 used MDIs.Correct technique was observed in only 14.3% of DPI users and 11.3% of MDI users.Not holding breath after inhaling, not exhaling before inhaling, and wrong inhalation pace were common mistakes. Conclusion:The study revealed a significant gap in correct inhalation for both DPI and MDI users.The study recommends including inhaler technique in the curriculum, providing structured training by professionals, and conducting frequent evaluations of inhaler usage among COPD patients.

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