Patient satisfaction with the Diskhaler(R) and the Diskus(R) inhaler, a new multidose powder delivery system for the treatment of asthma

To evaluate patient satisfaction with two breath-actuated powder inhalers Dishhaler(R) and Diskus(R)), investigators asked patients to complete questionnaires as part of a randomized, double-masked, double-dummy, placebo-controlled study of fluticasone propionate powder (500 mg twice daily) in the treatment of chronic persistent asthma. At baseline, patients rated the importance of various inhaler attributes tie, ease of use, ease of loading with medication, ease of holding and operating, ease of cleaning, and ease of telling how many doses of medication are left). After 2 weeks of placebo and 6 and 12 weeks of active therapy, patients rated the inhalers on these same attributes. They also rated their general satisfaction with the inhalers and how comfortable they were using them. After 12 weeks, patients also rated the durability and convenience of carrying each device and were asked to indicate which they preferred. Data were available from 213 patients. All seven inhaler attributes measured were considered important by the majority of patients (71% to 91%), contributing to the validity of the patient-rated performance assessments. After 12 weeks of use, 57% to 88% of patients expressed a high level of satisfaction with the performance of the Diskhaler on all attributes; a high level of overall satisfaction (72%) and comfort (79%) was reported with this inhaler. Patients rated the performance of the Diskus inhaler very favorably, with 76% to 96% expressing a high level of satisfaction on all attributes; a high level of overall satisfaction (87%) and comfort (85%) was reported with this inhaler. At end point, 61.4% preferred the Diskus inhaler, 25.4% preferred the Diskhaler inhaler, and 13.2% expressed no preference. These breath-actuated powder inhalers may be acceptable alternatives to traditional metered-dose inhalers for the treatment of patients with asthma.