The prevalence of proper technique for intranasal corticosteroid administration among rhinitis children and their caregivers

Abstract

Background: Rhinitis is a chronic respiratory disease, affecting up to 10-25% of the global population. Its management is based on the intranasal corticosteroid(INS). Multiple studies have demonstrated incorrectly administer of INS by patients and caregivers, resulting in poor disease control and complications. We investigated whether which factors associated with incorrect INS administration.
Objectives: To evaluate the correctness of INS techniques of pediatric patients and their caregivers who are currently receiving treatment at Chonburi Hospital. The secondary objective of this study is to determine whether the following factors is associated with incorrect INS technique.
Methods: In this descriptive study, patients aged between 2 to 15 years with allergic rhinitis, attending the Pediatric Allergy Clinic, Chonburi Hospital, and prescribed the INS AvamysTM for at least one week were assessed in the correctness of their techniques, based on a 10-step protocol. The study was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021.
Results: Among the 144 subjects were included in this study, 72.2% of subjects were male and average age was 8.6±2.9 years. Only 30% of the subjects were able to correctly perform all 10 steps and all the essential steps in INS usage. The most common error was to exhale through their mouths while removing the tip of the nasal spray from their noses. None of the factors examined associated with affect the correctness of INS technique.
Conclusion: The majority of pediatric patients and caregivers performed INS administration incorrectly. One by one patient education, demonstration, and feedback on how to administer INS correctly may be an option for improvement.