To objectively evaluate the compliance with inhaled steroids, we tried to evaluate the patients' understanding of the significance of inhalation (Compliance Score) and their achievement of inhalation technique (Technical Score) after a second instruction of inhaler use.
108 patients using beclomethasone dipropionate with the InspirEase® spacer (BDP+IE) were assessed in 1998 and while another 99 patients were evaluated using fluticasone propionate with Diskhaler® (FP) in 1999.
63% in the BDP+IE group and 85% in the FP group both demonstrated high Compliance and Technical Scores. Concerning age distribution, many middle-aged patients showed low scores in the BDP+ IE group. In the FP group, all patients with high Technical Scores showed high Compliance Scores, in other words, the patients who could master an efficient inhalation technique could actually performed sufficient inhalation.
These Findings suggest that FP improves patient compliance because its inhalation technique is easier than that required for BDP+ IE.
