Impact of Pharmacist-Led Intervention on Adherence to Inhalers, Inhalation Technique, and Disease Control Among Asthma/COPD Patients in a Resource Limited Center: An Interventional Study

Background: Asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic respiratory conditions characterized by airflow obstruction and respiratory symptoms. Adherence to prescribed inhaler therapy and correct inhalation technique are essential for effective disease management and optimal disease control. However, non-adherence and incorrect inhalation technique are common challenges faced by patients with asthma and COPD, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and increased healthcare burden.
Purpose: To study the impact of a pharmacist-led intervention on inhaler adherence, inhalation technique, and disease control among patients with asthma and COPD.
Patients and Methods: A pre-post interventional design assessed the effects of pharmacist-led intervention on inhaler adherence, inhalation techniques, and disease control in asthma and COPD patients at Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal. Inclusion criteria: adult patient clinically diagnosed with asthma or COPD patients of all genders. The intervention comprised counseling patients with aids like videos, and informational leaflets. Impact was measured using checklist method for inhalation technique, the Test of Adherence to Inhaler (TAI) questionnaire for adherence to inhaler, and “Asthma Control Test (ACT)” or “COPD Assessment Test (CAT)” for disease control.
Results: The pharmacist-led intervention significantly increased adherence to inhalers, evidenced by a notable rise in the proportion of patients with good adherence (P< 0.001). Sporadic, deliberate, and unwitting noncompliance pattern also improved significantly after the intervention (P< 0.001, P< 0.001 and P=0.001). Inhalation technique exhibited substantial improvement after intervention (P< 0.001). The analysis indicated significant moderate negative correlations between “TIA” and “CAT” [ρ=− 0.31; P=0.01], and between “inhalation technique score” and “CAT score” [ρ=− 0.31; P=0.01] suggesting that as adherence to inhaler usage and inhalation technique improve, CAT scores tend to decrease, indicating reduced disease impact on the patient.
Conclusion: This study shows the potential efficacy of pharmacist-led intervention in enhancing adherence to inhaler, inhalation technique, and disease control in respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD.