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Patient Perspective on Climate Impact of Inhalers

Asthma

The effects of climate change on population health have considerably increased as the planet warms and is thus subjected to more heat waves, extreme weather events and food insecurity. Paradoxically, healthcare systems are major contributors to carbon emissions.

Within the field of respirology, choice of inhaler is a low-hanging fruit to address this issue. Metered dose inhalers (MDI) contain potent greenhouse gases and have been shown to have a significantly larger carbon footprint than dry powder inhalers (DPI).

The goal of the study is to assess asthma patients' willingness to change inhalers for environmental reasons as well as prescribers' willingness to prescribe a different inhaler for environmental reasons at the patient's request. The study will also be assessing patient awareness of the climate impact of inhalers and the importance that they attribute to this issue as well as other issues (cost and ease of use).

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    ALL

  • Eligible Ages:

    18 and up

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years of age or older
* Followed in the asthma clinic at the Montreal Chest Institute or the Montreal General Hospital.
* Confirmed diagnosis of asthma presenting for a follow up visit for their asthma (defined as positive methacholine challenge test or confirmed reversibility of lung function 12% increase FEV1 (forced expiratory volume) or 200ml absolute value increase post bronchodilator).
* On an inhaled steroid for the treatment of asthma for maintenance as well as Ventolin MDI as a rescue inhaler.
* Stable asthma -not currently being evaluated for an acute asthma exacerbation and no Emergency Room visits for asthma within the last 30 days.
* Adequate lung function with a FEV1 of at least 50% and, where available, a peak inspiratory flow (PIF) of under 60L/m for use of a DPI and MDI.

Study Location

McGill University Health Center
McGill University Health Center
Montréal, Quebec
Canada

Contact Study Team

Primary Contact

Nicole EZER, MD

Study Sponsored By
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: NCT06097507