Inhaler Operability and Patient Satisfaction Regarding Genuair® and Respimat® Inhalers for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized Crossover Study

Comparison of User Satisfaction and Preference with Inhalant Devices Between a Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhaler and Ellipta in Stable Asthma Patients: A Randomized, Crossover Study

Introduction

Inhalation therapy involves two types of adherence: adherence to the drug and adherence to the procedures for the inhalation device. User satisfaction and preference are key factors for maintaining good adherence of both types, and they should be evaluated based on three conditions being well maintained: asthma control level (ACL), adherence, and adequate device operability during usage duration. We compared user satisfaction and preference between a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) and a dry powder inhaler (Ellipta), while maintaining the three conditions during usage in stable asthma patients.

Methods

In this open-label, randomized, two-way crossover study, patients with stable asthma [Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) scores < 0.75] were classified into a 20–64-year age group (G1) and a ≥ 65-year age group (G2) and randomly assigned to either a formoterol/fluticasone combination (FFC) as the pMDI group or a vilanterol/fluticasone combination (VFC) as the Ellipta group. Satisfaction and preference levels were evaluated at week 4. ACL was measured using the ACQ and Japan Asthma Control Survey questionnaires at weeks 0 and 4. Device operability and respiratory resistance were also examined.

Results

Forty-four patients (23 G1, age 45.8 ± 1.9 years; 21 G2, 74.1 ± 1.3 years) were enrolled and maintained good ACL during the study. Adherence to FFC pMDI and VFC Ellipta was > 97% in all groups. Device operability did not differ significantly between FFC pMDI and VFC Ellipta in the G1 (p = 0.189) or G2 (p = 0.506) group. Overall satisfaction was marginally higher with the FFC pMDI than with the VFC Ellipta in G2 (p = 0.012) but non-significantly different in G1 (p = 0.733). Factors affecting overall satisfaction in G2 were difference of inhalation device and body mass index. Respiratory resistance did not change significantly over the study in G2.

Conclusion

Based on maintaining good ACL, adherence, and device operability, FFC pMDI showed significantly higher satisfaction and preference levels than VFC Ellipta in elderly persons.

Trial Registration

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials identifier, jRCTs041180001 (registered 21 August 2018).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41030-021-00149-6.

Inhaler device feature preferences among patients with obstructive lung diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Bronchodilators administered through inhalation devices are the mainstay treatment for patients with obstructive lung diseases. Patients do not view devices as interchangeable. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined device feature preferences among patients with obstructive lung diseases treated with handheld inhalers.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched to identify publications between 2010 and 2019 that met the following criteria:A manual search extended the study period from 2001 to 2019. Random-effects models were used to generate pooled mean effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for preferred device features. Heterogeneity was measured by the I statistic.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies (n = 11,256) were included in this meta-analysis. Average age ranged from 50.4 to 74.3 years. The majority of patients were male (57%) and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (92%).Patients preferred the following device features: CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS:: Adults with obstructive lung diseases preferred small inhaler devices that were portable, durable, perceived as easy to use, and fast in medication administration. Healthcare providers should give due consideration to the patient's device feature preferences when developing a treatment plan that prescribes an inhalation device.

Device use errors with soft mist inhalers: A global systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Inhaled bronchodilators are the cornerstone of treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Soft mist inhalers (SMIs) are devices that deliver bronchodilators. Although correct device use is paramount to successful medication delivery, patient errors are common. This global systematic literature review and meta-analysis examined device use errors with SMIs among patients with obstructive lung diseases. PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched to identify studies published between 2010 and 2019 that met the following inclusion criteria: (a) English language; (b) a diagnosis of COPD, bronchitis, or emphysema; and (c) reported device use errors among adults receiving long-acting bronchodilator treatment with Respimat® SMI (i.e. Spiriva®, Stiolto®, Spiolto®, and Striverdi®). Descriptive statistics examined sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and device use errors. Meta-analysis techniques were employed with random-effects models to generate pooled mean effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall and step-by-step errors. The I2 statistic measured heterogeneity. Twelve studies (n = 1288 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. Eighty-eight percent of patients had COPD, and most had moderate/very severe airflow limitation (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease spirometric stages II to IV). Aggregate results revealed that 58.9% (95% CI: 42.4-75.5; I2 = 92.8%) of patients made ≥1 device use errors. Among 11 studies with step-by-step data, the most common errors were failure to (1) exhale completely and away from the device (47.8% (95% CI: 33.6-62.0)); (2) hold breath for up to 10 seconds (30.6% (95% CI: 17.5-43.7)); (3) take a slow, deep breath while pressing the dose release button (27.9% (95% CI: 14.5-41.2)); (4) hold the inhaler upright (22.6% (95% CI: 6.2-39.0)); and (5) turn the base toward the arrows until it clicked (17.6% (95% CI: 3.0-32.2)). Device use errors occurred in about 6 of 10 patients who used SMIs. An individualized approach to inhalation device selection and ongoing training and monitoring of device use are important in optimizing bronchodilator treatment.

Genuair®/Pressair® Inhaler in COPD: The Patient Perspective

This article reviews the latest data pertaining to the Genuair^®/Pressair^® device, a breath-actuated, multi-dose dry-powder inhaler with a two-step inhalation process, which is marketed for the delivery of aclidinium alone or in combination with formoterol for long-term maintenance bronchodilation treatment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It contains multiple feedback mechanisms to guide effective use, and safety features to avoid double-dosing or attempted use when empty. In addition to describing the design of Genuair^®, the article will provide an update on inhaler operability and performance, focusing on recent patient preference and satisfaction studies. The evidence suggests that patients find Genuair^® easy to use, with patients requiring less training and making fewer inhalation errors than with other inhalers, and that patient satisfaction with the device is high.

Aclidinium bromide in fixed-dose combination with formoterol fumarate in the management of COPD: an update on the evidence base

Aclidinium bromide/formoterol fumarate (AB/FF) 400/12 µg is a twice-daily long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist and long-acting β2 agonist (LAMA/LABA) dual-bronchodilator maintenance therapy used to relieve symptoms and reduce future risk of exacerbations in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To date, there have been several clinical studies and post hoc analyses of AB/FF, assessing treatment outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. These studies have looked at a range of outcomes, including lung function parameters, patient-reported symptom scores, quality-of-life measures assessing impaired health and perceived well-being, and the frequency, duration, and severity of exacerbations. In light of the major 2017 revision to the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommendations, and the subsequent updates, we present an update on the latest evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of AB/FF. This review discusses the clinical relevance of the improvements in lung function, symptoms, quality of life, and exacerbations in patients with COPD reported in the phase III and IV trials of AB/FF. Given the current concerns over unnecessary inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use in COPD, we also touch briefly on the use of blood eosinophils as a biomarker for identifying those patients with COPD already using LAMA/LABA therapy for whom the addition of ICS might be of benefit.