European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A SHORT CLINICAL STUDY TO EXPLORE THE REASONS FOR FAILURE OF DRUG TREATMENT IN CHRONIC ASTHMATICS WITH REFERENCE TO DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Dr. K Bhuvaneswari*, Suresh Ragavilasini and Dr. S Breetha

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory illnesses in the community. Easy and the common method to deliver the antiasthmatic drugs are topical drug delivery devices. Even though many patients were using the devices for quiet long time at regular intervals still, considerable number of patient are not able to overcome the breathing difficulty. Material and Methods: A prospective interactive observational clinical questionnaire based study was conducted among chronic asthmatics of 50 years and above, using validated asthma control test (ACT) questionnaire at Department of Pulmonology, PSG hospitals, Coimbatore, South India after the IHEC approval of SGIMSR. Results: Among 100 participants 60 were male and 40 were female. 56% had problem for more than 5 years. 94% were using both topical and oral route. Among the topical route 70% were using devices whenever needed. 82% were using topical route mode for more than 1 year. 68% felt inhalational is the comfortable route. Among the total topical users 37% were not able to take short interval between two breaths and 58 % had lack of coordination while using devices. Discussion: This study had expressed the reason for failure of therapy as lack of coordination while using inhaler and irregular use. Conclusion: During regular follow-up, if the patients are checked by the physician for therapeutic failure or worsening symptoms, will positively shift their conduct to adhere prescription in turn will motivate the patients to use the devices regularly and prescription will become cost effective.

Keywords: Topical delivery devices, chronic asthma, antiasthmatic drug.