Table 1 Characteristics of tested devices, baseline characteristics of patients, and differences in usability
From: Dry-powder inhalers in patients with persistent airflow limitation: usability and preference
Breezhaler | Genuair | Handihaler | p | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Device characteristics | |||||
Manoeuvres (n)a | 7 | 3 | 4 | ||
Time spent by nurse with patients during trainingb (min) | 1st attempt | 2.8 ± 0.1 | 1.3 ± 0.1 | 1.4 ± 0.1 | p < 0.0001 |
2nd attempt | 4.2 ± 0.2 | 1.8 ± 0.1 | 2 ± 0.2 | p < 0.0001 | |
3rd attempt | 5.0 ± 0.3 | 2.1 ± 0.2 | 2.7 ± 0.2 | p < 0.0001 | |
Patient characteristics | |||||
Patients (N) | 333 | 237 | 223 | ||
Age (years) | 55.2 ± 18.3 | 54.8 ± 17.5 | 57.8 ± 17.9 | NS | |
Sex (% male) | 46.5 % | 49.4 % | 43.9 % | NS | |
Disease (% COPD) | 47.4 % | 47.7 % | 51.6 % | NS | |
Previous experience with DPI | 63.7 % | 66.7 % | 64.6 % | NS | |
Previous instruction to use of DPI | 60.7 % | 64.1 % | 62.8 % | NS | |
Usability | |||||
N. attempts before achieving the first proper inhalation | 2.6 ± 1.1 | 1.6 ± 0.8 | 2.5 ± 1.1 | p < 0.0001 | |
Successful rate at the first attempt (%) | 18.0 % | 55.7 % | 19.3 % | p < 0.0001 | |
Total time required for the first proper inhalationb (min) | 10.3 ± 5.0 | 2.5 ± 1.6 | 4.9 ± 2.7 | p < 0.0001 | |