According to a recent study conducted by David Price, MD, satisfaction with an inhaler was only one of several factors that predicted a positive outcome in asthma patients. For the study, Price recruited 243 asthmatic patients to assess what factors predicted good outcome, positive control in asthmatics, and adherence to treatment. Of the 243 participants, a total of 41% of the study participants exhibited poor control of their condition.

The researchers evaluated each asthmatic patient as to their asthma symptoms, ability to adhere to asthma treatment, asthma symptoms, patient demographics, smoking history, the history of their triggers and when they last occurred, and other illnesses the participant had that may have an impact on asthma health in order to assess factors associated with better asthma outcomes. The research team was able to identify several different factors that seemed to be the most likely to be linked to positive asthma outcomes.

These particular factors included the absence of tobacco use on the part of the asthmatic, being better able to adhere to taking asthma medications, having a greater satisfaction with the treatment provided for the participant’s asthma, and not having the comorbidity of allergic rhinitis, according to Lung Disease News.

In examining specifically participant satisfaction with medications administered through an inhaled device, the research team found that there were a few secondary factors influencing the person’s satisfaction with the inhaler, including how easy it was to use the inhaler, the presence of a system that indicated how many doses were left in the inhaler, and the perception that the inhaler delivered the proper amount of asthma medication into the lungs during each use.

Among all factors, changing the way inhalers work in addition to treating allergic rhinitis were found to be the most manageable, as noted on the Lung Disease News report. Price says if these issues are addressed by doctors as well as manufacturers of inhaled devices along with smoking cessation, persons with asthma may be able to have better overall asthma outcomes.

Source: Lung Disease News