Improved health outcomes with peak flow monitoring for children with asthma.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the effects of peak flow monitoring (PFM) on health outcomes of school-age children with asthma.


METHODS
Seventy-seven children who previously relied on symptom monitoring were taught PFM. Adherence to PFM during the 16-week study was assessed by a computerized monitor. Health outcomes over time were based on parent report.


RESULTS
Decreases occurred from baseline to week 16 in the incidence of one or more asthma episodes (p = 0.0002), physician/clinic visits (p = 0.0002), emergency department visits (p = 0.03), and missed school days (p = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
PFM significantly reduced pediatric asthma morbidity in this sample.
Burkhart
Patricia V
PV
College of Nursing at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY 40536-0232, USA. pvburk2@email.@uky.edu
Rayens
Mary Kay
MK
Revelette
W Robert
WR
Ohlmann
Ashleigh
A
D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods*