Effect of allergy specialist care on the quality of life in patients with asthma.
BACKGROUND
Traditional assessment of asthma severity has been based on symptoms reported by patients, findings on physical examination, and pulmonary function measures. Newer measurements evaluate the quality of life of asthma patients. We attempted to assess the effect of allergy specialty care on the quality of life of asthmatic patients.


METHODS
A validated asthma quality of life questionnaire was administered prospectively to patients with asthma on their first visit to our clinic; a second questionnaire was given a few months later. All patients had been under the care of a primary physician prior to coming to our office.


RESULTS
The paired questionnaires were analyzed and showed improvement in the asthma quality of life. The total scores improved from 28.1 to 21.6 (P = 1.5 X 10(-5), the breathlessness score from 8.7 to 5.9 (P = 7.3 X 10(-8), the mood scores from 6.4 to 4.6 (P = 1.1 X 10(-5). The social concerns from 4.5 to 3.9 (P = .08) and the concern for health from 8.4 to 7.1 (P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
This is further evidence that allergy specialty care improves asthma quality of life over primary care treatment.
Storms
B
B
Asthma & Allergy Associates, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.
Olden
L
L
Nathan
R
R
Bodman
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000486:Allergy and Immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life