Efficacy of an individualized written home-management plan in the control of moderate persistent asthma: a randomized, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
The management of childhood asthma necessitates a comprehensive approach including pharmacological treatment as well as education about self-evaluation and home management of the condition.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of adding an individualized written home-management plan in the control of moderate persistent asthma.


METHODS
Children with moderate persistent asthma were randomized to receive either an individualized written home-management plan or no plan, in addition to standard asthma therapy including education. They were followed up with serial measurement of outcome variables.


RESULTS
Children receiving an individualized written home-management plan had fewer acute asthma events, fewer lost school days, lower symptom score and less nocturnal awakening than those who did not receive a written plan.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of a written individualized home-management plan improves overall control in children with moderate persistent asthma.
Agrawal
Sunil K
SK
Department of Paediatrics, Advanced Paediatrics Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
Singh
Meenu
M
Mathew
Joseph L
JL
Malhi
Prabhjot
P
D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies