External validation of the recommendations of the multidisciplinary consensus about inhaled therapies

Abstract

The understanding of physicians and the skill of patients in the use of inhalers continues to be inadequate.

Objective: The external validation, by an expert panel, of practical clinical recommendations that had been developed in order to improve the knowledge and understanding of correct inhaled therapy use.

Methods: After a bibliographic review about inhaled therapies, 40 clinical recommendations were proposed. A two-round modified Delphi consensus was used to compare the opinions of a panel of 59 experts about the recommendations, which were grouped into 8 areas: general aspects (4), inhaled drugs (9), pressurized metered-dose and spacer inhalers (6), powder inhalers (4), nebulizers (3), devices for mechanical ventilation (3), inhalers for children (5) and issues related with compliance and education (6).

Results: After the first round of the consensus panel, 35 of the 40 recommendations analyzed were accepted. At the end of round 2, agreement was reached in 39 (97.5%). In 8 (20%), the consensus was unanimous (100%). Item 14 was deleted from the recommendations as consensus was not reached.

Conclusions: The external validation by experts in inhaled therapy found a high level of agreement with the clinical recommendations proposed. This consensus provides a tool that could contribute to the improved use of inhalers in our country in the future.