Análise da técnica e da compreensão do uso de dispositivos inalatórios em pacientes com doenças respiratórias em uma clínica de especialidades médicas em Belém do Pará

Abstract

Introduction: The inhalation route is currently the preferred method for administering drugs in the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases, contributing to improving the quality of life of patients. There are several inhalation systems available: dry powder inhalers, pressurized inhalers and nebulizers. The amount of drug deposited at the level of the airways depends, among other factors, on the device used and on the way the inhalation technique is performed. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the technique and understanding of the use of inhalation devices in patients with chronic respiratory diseases, identifying the main errors and the different clinical profiles of patients. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study, using a standardized questionnaire and checklist as a data collection instrument submitted to patients undergoing chronic lung diseases, seen at the pulmonology outpatient clinic of the CESUPA Medical Specialties Center (CEMEC). Data collection started with socioeconomic variables. Then, the clinical conditions of each patient were questioned and, finally, patients were asked to demonstrate objectively the way in which they used their respective devices. Results: Among the 50 participants, 98% performed the inhalation technique incorrectly and 28% stated that they had never received any guidance regarding the use of the devices. Among the 29 users of pressurized devices, a total of 85 errors were verified in the inhalation technique, while among the 26 who used powdered devices, a total of 55 errors were verified. Among patients who used dry powder devices, expiration and removal of the used capsule were the steps with the most errors, and among users of pressurized devices, the device's agitation and tilting the head back were the most compromised phases. Conclusion: Factors such as age, education and socioeconomic conditions can influence the patient's learning and, therefore, practical measures must be taken in order to reduce the amount of errors in the use of the devices, observing the learning capacity and the main difficulties of learning. each group of patients. Errors were more frequent among those who used pressurized devices compared to those who used dry powder devices.