Background Inhaled medications are the main therapeutic treatment of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (
COPD) and
inhaler technique remained important that can increase medication efficacy, reducing dose and side effects. Poor
inhaler technique is multi-factorial and the quality of
inhaler technique has not previously assessed in Pakistan. We conducted a study to examine a range of competing factors that impact
COPD patient willingness, practices, and preference in using their
inhalers. Methods A cross-sectional of 765 patients with
COPD were interviewed and assessed by qualitative questionnaires. Objective inhalation technique and steps assessment was performed; satisfaction, preferences, perception, and practice of different types of
inhaler devices were evaluated at a single cross-sectional visit at the study enrolment. Results The study included 765 participants of mean age 58.7 years (SD ±7.8); 32% males and 68% females. Almost all of the females were exposed to biomass fuel
smoke exposure (99%) and pipe (Huka) smokers 53%, while most male participants were cigarette smokers (92%). Only 6.3% of participants were able to perform correct steps of
inhaler use, and few educated patients completed 7-steps. 66% of patients were using
dry powder inhalers (DPI)
inhaler devices and mostly performed the steps 1, 2, and 4 (98%) correctly, while 44% who were using
metered-dose inhalers (MDI) completed only steps 2 and 4 correctly (88%). The majority of participants reported the particular
inhaler devices was prescribed by the visiting consultants (54%). Interestingly, they were using two
inhalers together (47%) relieving symptoms of
dyspnea (83%) and
cough (73%). The
inhaler use technique was demonstrated to most of the patients by the pharmacy salesman (38.4%), while 15.8% reported that their doctors taught them the
inhaler technique. 54.2% reported reason for poor adherence to
inhaler use as they understand it might not work lately and 75.2% were not aware of any side effects associated with the regular use of an
inhaler. Conclusions Poor
inhaler technique is highly prevalent and the associated errors did not appear to be dependent on device type. Most of the participants had not receive proper training about the correct use and were not involved in decision making about the choice of
inhaler device.