Objective: To study patient preference for and satisfaction with the Easyhaler^® device and to assess ease of training and use of the inhaler in patients previously treated with a variety of dry powder inhalers (DPIs).
Methods: We designed a non-interventional, cross-sectional, single-visit observational study of adult patients with persistent asthma referred to specialized care who had previously been treated with DPI inhalers for at least 3 months. Once clinical baseline data had been checked, patients filled in questionnaires on asthma control (GINA 2019), Feeling of Satisfaction with the Inhaler (FSI-10), and adherence (TAI and Morisky-Green questionnaires). Thereafter, all patients were trained in the use of Easyhaler. We assessed ease of use and satisfaction (FSI-10) with Easyhaler, as well as inhaler device preferences.
Results: We recruited 502 patients (mean age, 50.2 ± 16.2 y; 63.1% female), of whom 485 were evaluable. In response to the main objective of the study, we compared the values of the self-completed adapted FSI-10, to measure satisfaction with the inhaler. A significantly higher score in each item of the questionnaire was recorded for Easyhaler. Overall, 38% of patients showed exclusive preference for Easyhaler (compared with 15% for the previous device) or were evenly matched in 46% of cases.
Conclusion: In the present study, Easyhaler achieved better patient ratings in terms of preference and satisfaction than previously used DPI devices. In order to improve asthma adherence strategies, patient preferences and device choice should be taken into account.
Keywords: patient satisfaction, adherence, inhaler devices, dry powder inhalers, asthma control, clinical outcomes