Table 4. How patients usually refer to inhalers when talking with a healthcare professional.

Patient group	Usually, n (%)	Often, n (%)	Sometimes, n (%)	Never, n (%)	Total, n	P value
By colour (e.g., ‘I use my blue inhaler if my symptoms get worse’)
Asthma (n=1,755)	813 (50.7%)	286 (17.8%)	332 (20.7%)	172 (10.7%)	1,603	0.86
COPD (n=212)	79 (48.2%)	32 (19.5%)	33 (20.1%)	20 (12.2%)	164
All (n=2,127)	943 (49.8%)	309 (17.9%)	397 (21.0%)	214 (11.3%)	1893
By the brand name (e.g., Ventolin, Flixotide, Symbicort)
Asthma (n=1,755)	513 (35.1%)	313 (19.6%)	458 (28.7%)	313 (19.6%)	1,597	<0.005
COPD (n=212)	80 (48.8%)	24 (14.6%)	40 (24.4%)	20 (12.2%)	164
All (n=2,127)	673 (35.4%)	360 (18.9%)	523 (27.5%)	346 (18.2%)	1902
By the medicine inside (generic name) (e.g., salbutamol, salmeterol, budesonide)
Asthma (n=1,755)	250 (16.7%)	205 (13.7%)	591 (39.4%)	454 (30.3%)	1,500	<0.005
COPD (n=212)	45 (34.1%)	17 (12.9%)	45 (34.1)	25 (18.9%)	132
All (n=2,127)	328 (18.7%)	247 (14.1%)	679 (38.7%)	502 (28.6%)	1757