Study: Many Patients Don't Know How to Use Inhalers, Epi-Pens Properly - East Idaho News

Study: Many Patients Don’t Know How to Use Inhalers, Epi-Pens Properly

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Thinkstock 121714 Inhaler?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1418873902362Stockbyte/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A new study found that many patients with inhalers or epi-pens do not use them correctly.

According to the study, published in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, researchers at the University of Texas looked at a small sampling of patients and found that 84 percent of those with severe food and medication allergies are unable to use their epinephrine injector properly. They also determined that 93 percent of study participants were unable to use their asthma inhaler properly.

Researchers say that younger patients were more likely to use their device properly when compared to older patients, and men were more likely than women to use the devices correctly.

A larger study would be necessary to verify the percentages, but the researchers call the failure of many patients to properly use these devices problematic. They did note, however, that not all of the errors made in the study would have put a patient’s life at risk.


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