Randomised comparison of guided self management and traditional treatment of asthma over one year.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of self management of asthma with traditional treatment.


METHODS
12 month prospective randomised trial.


METHODS
Outpatient clinics in Finland.


METHODS
115 patients with mild to moderately severe asthma.


METHODS
Patient education and adjustment of anti-inflammatory therapy guided by peak flow measurements.


METHODS
Unscheduled admissions to hospital and outpatient visits, days off work, courses of antibiotics and prednisolone, lung function, and quality of life.


RESULTS
The mean number of unscheduled visits to ambulatory care facilities (0.5 v 1.0), days off work (2.8 v 4.8), and courses of antibiotics (0.4 v 0.9) and prednisolone (0.4 v 1.0) per patient were lower and the quality of life score (16.6 v 8.4 at 12 months) higher in the self management group than in the traditionally treated group. In both groups admissions for asthma were rare.


CONCLUSIONS
Self management reduces incidents caused by asthma and improves quality of life.
Lahdensuo
A
A
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Tampere University Hospital, Pikonlinna, Finland.
Haahtela
T
T
Herrala
J
J
Kava
T
T
Kiviranta
K
K
Kuusisto
P
P
Perämäki
E
E
Poussa
T
T
Saarelainen
S
S
Svahn
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011282:Pregnenediones; D019819:Budesonide; D001507:Beclomethasone