Improper Inhaler Use by People With COPD Is Common, Worsening Disease

Over 30 million Americans have COPD, and most use some form of inhaled medicine New research suggests that the majority of COPD patients might be using their inhalers improperly, impeding their care Better education and matching particular inhalers with patients could help people avoid misuse FRIDAY, Aug. 23, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Millions of people rely on medicines delivered by an inhaler to help manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). But a new European study finds many patients are using inhalers improperly, keeping them from adequately treating the respiratory illness.

“Misuse of inhalers is common, and in our study we found that approximately two-thirds of inhalers were misused,” said study lead author Dr. Gaël Grandmaison . He's an assistant physician in internal medicine at the University and Hospital of Fribourg in Fribourg, Switzerland.

The findings were published recently in the journal Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation . COPD is a progressive, inflammatory lung condition that's often (but not always) linked to smoking. There is no cure for the illness, which over time makes breathing more difficult.

COPD affects an estimated 30 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Grandmaison and his team tracked the inhaler use techniques and respiratory health of 96 COPD patients treated at his hospital during 2022 and 2023. The researchers found that of the 160 inhaler devices.