Never change a winning team: Patient and inhalation device

摘要

In this issue of Respiration, Bjermer [1] reviewed the importance of continuity in the choice of the inhaler device for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. An inhaler device is a major component in the successful and cost-effective therapy of chronic obstructive lung disease. Thomas et al. [2] reported in a retrospective matched cohort study using the UK General Practice Research Database that the device delivering inhaled corticosteroids had been switched in nearly one third of the patients, mainly from dry powder to metered-dose inhalers. The likelihood of asthma control among switched versus control patients was significantly lower. There may have been several causes for changing the device. Misuse of the device was apparently not the main reason. In this case, switching the device would have improved asthma control