[Evaluation of a structured outpatient education program for adult asthmatics].
OBJECTIVE
In this study the effectiveness of an outpatient education program for adult asthmatics (AFAS) was evaluated in a controlled and randomized trial over a period of 6 months.


METHODS
In a randomized controlled study 78 educated patients with mild to moderate asthma (mean age 48.6 years) and 42 equally treated but "sham-trained" patients (control group; mean age 48.3 years) were compared after 6 months. The average duration of the disease was 16.7 years. Main items of the eight-hour outpatient education program were the peak-flow-controlled self-medication of the patients, the correct use of the medication, as well as information about the disease and its treatment. The patients of the control group underwent a "sham-training" (short education about inhalation technique and use of peak-flow meter).


RESULTS
The knowledge about the disease, measured by a multiple-choice-test including 27 items, increased in the intervention group from initially 28.9+/-2 % to 90.0+/-3.6 % (p < 0.001). After AFAS 87.5 % of patients were able to manage their asthma attacks by themselves (initially 26.2 %; p = 0.009). Inhaled glucocorticoids were used more regularly (p = 0.037), the percentage of patients with mild and severe asthma attacks during the last weak decreased significantly (p < 0.001). The SF-12 life quality score increased significantly (p < 0.001). The control group revealed no significant differences in all these parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Judged by the reduction of morbidity and an optimization of the medication as well as a higher quality of life, AFAS under outpatient conditions appears to be an efficient and cost-effective method of modern asthma management.
Schacher
C
C
Medizinische Klinik I, Klinikum Fürth. christian.schacher@klinikum-fuerth.de
Dhein
Y
Y
Münks-Lederer
C
C
Vollmer
T
T
Worth
H
H
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000193:education*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents