Andrea S. Melani

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the prevalence of inhaler mishandling in a large population of experienced patients referring to chest clinics; to analyze the variables associated with misuse and the relationship between inhaler handling and health-care resources use and disease control.

TL;DR: The use of DPIs is associated with a similar percentage of inadequate inhalation technique as the use of pMDIs in clinical practice, and the addition of an LVS to a pMDI and education from health care personnel, rather than simply changing inhalers, represent the best strategies for minimizing poor inhalations technique.

TL;DR: It is concluded that many doctors are not familiar with the relevant characteristics of currently available inhalers and the prescription of newer dry powder inhalers may be subjected to gender, socio-economic, and instruction bias.

TL;DR: The widespread use of liquid oxygen did not automatically assure optimal adherence to the prescribed treatment as regards times and modality of oxygen use, and a better education of patients, relatives, and the general public, as well as increased self-assessment on the part of health caregivers would improve the practice of LTOT in Italy.