Understanding Nebulizer Utilization by Patients and Healthcare Providers: A COPD Foundation Nebulizer Consortium Survey Study.

RATIONALE: Inhaled medications are the mainstay of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. While consensus guidelines for pharmacological management in COPD are well-established, few guidelines exist regarding inhaled medication delivery systems. The COPD Foundation Nebulizer Consortium conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients with COPD and healthcare providers to understand their perceptions and utilization of nebulized medications.

METHODS

An online survey was conducted from February 7 through April 9, 2024. Patients completed a 42-question survey, including demographic information, tobacco use, symptoms severity, and the role of nebulizers in their treatment. Healthcare providers responded to a 17-question survey about their clinical experience with nebulized medications.

RESULTS

We analyzed responses from 347 patients and 39 healthcare providers. Among patients, 76.4% (265/347) were ≥65 years old, 72.0% (250/347) were female, 93.4% (324/347) were white, 90.5% (314/347) had a current or former smoking history, 77.6% (263/339) reported at least one exacerbation in the past year, and 70.8% (240/339) used some form of supplemental oxygen. Nebulizer use was reported by 84.1% (292/347) of patients. Among nebulizer users, 94.5% (276/292) used short-acting while only 22.3% (65/292) used long-acting nebulized medications. Patients reported that hand-held inhaler devices were easier to use (69.8%, 171/245), but nebulized therapy led to better symptom control (64.9%, 159/245) and had lower copays (67.8%, 166/245). Among prescribers surveyed, most (82.1%, 32/39) believed nebulizers were preferable for patients experiencing exacerbations. Impediments to wider use of nebulizers included difficulties with insurance coverage (69.2%, 27/39), cost (53.8%, 21/39), and lack of combination nebulized drugs (46.2%, 18/39). Two-thirds of providers thought that nebulizers were underused.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that while patients and providers both perceive nebulizers as preferred in clinical management of COPD, there is discordance between patient and provider perception of nebulizer use on the basis of cost and feasibility of use.