Willingness of patients to perform self-management of asthma and the role of inhaled steroids.
OBJECTIVE
Asthma self-management is a generally accepted effective treatment strategy for asthma patients. Acceptance by patients may be a barrier for successful implementation. In this study, the role of inhaled steroids in starting asthma self-management is described.


METHODS
Cross-sectional explorative study.


METHODS
General practice.


METHODS
283 adult steroid-requiring asthma patients were invited by their GP to participate in a self-management programme.


METHODS
In a multivariate logistic regression model, the relation between baseline dosage of inhaled steroids, occupational status, age and sex as independent variables and willingness to participate as dependent variables was explored.


RESULTS
Of all invited, 148 (52%) were willing to participate. Subjects not using inhaled steroids were least willing to participate (43/143 = 30%). Subjects with low doses of inhaled steroids ( < 400 mcg daily) were most willing to participate (44/54 = 81%). Unemployed asthmatics had a higher tendency to participate than patients with a regular job.


CONCLUSIONS
Acceptance of self-management by patients is not a limiting issue in promoting self-management of asthma in general practice. High acceptance in patients taking low or intermediate doses of inhaled steroids makes general practice the most appropriate setting for self-management. A selection procedure is recommended.
Thoonen
Bart P A
BP
Department of General Practice, University Medical Centre St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. b.thoonen@hsv.kun.nl
Schermer
Tjard R J
TR
Akkermans
Reinier P
RP
den Otter
Joost J
JJ
Grol
Richard
R
van Schayck
Onno C P
OC
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009790:Occupations; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D013256:Steroids
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013256:Steroids