[Influence of education level on self-evaluation and control of patients with bronchial asthma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of education on self-evaluation and control level in patients with bronchial asthma.


METHODS
Seventy-five asthmatic patients with the initial diagnosis in line with the American Thoracic Society criteria, including 46 with junior high school education or below (group A) and 29 with senior high school education or above (group B), were asked to complete a survey to assess their symptoms and asthma attacks. Asthma control test (ACT) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) evaluation were performed 8, 12 and 24 weeks after salmeterol/fluticasone therapy. Step-down treatment was administered according to GINA guidelines. The self-evaluation of the patients was assessed according to ACT score, physical signs and pulmonary function. An ACT score over 19 indicate well controlled condition. The effect of education on the self-evaluation and control level of bronchial asthma was assessed.


RESULTS
The two groups had similar basal level of pulmonary function (FEV1). Eight weeks after the therapy, 29 patients in group A had ACT score over 19, including 11 with high control level; in group B, 17 had ACT score over 19, of whom 4 showed high control level. There was no significant difference between the two groups in control levels and self-evaluation (P>0.05). At 12 weeks, 37 patients in group A had ACT score over 19, with 17 having high control level; 22 patients in group B had ACT score over 19, 4 showing high control level; the two groups were similar in the control levels (P>0.05) but showed significant difference in self-evaluation (P<0.05). At the time of 24 weeks, 42 and 26 patients had ACT score over 19 in the two groups, with 19 and 5 having high control level, respectively. The two groups differed significantly in the control levels (P<0.05) and self-evaluation (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The patients' education level may play a role in self-evaluation and control level of bronchial asthma, but its impact differs in the course of the treatment.
Zhao
Hai-jin
HJ
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. zhjin@fimmu.com
Cai
Shao-xi
SX
Tong
Wan-cheng
WC
Li
Wen-jun
WJ
Fu
Liang
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000420:Albuterol