Benefit from the inclusion of self-treatment guidelines to a self-management programme for adults with asthma

J.J. Klein, Jacobus Adrianus Maria van der Palen, E.R. Seydel, S.M. Uil, G.A. Zielhuis, J.J. Klein, J. van der Palen, C.L.A. van Herwaarden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

40 Citations (Scopus)
1 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 245 patients with stable, moderate to severe asthma were included. They were randomized into a self-treatment group (group S) and a control group (group C). Both groups received self-management education. Additionally, group S received self-treatment guidelines based on peak expiratory flow (PEF) and symptoms. Outcome parameters included: asthma symptoms, quality of life, pulmonary function, and exacerbation rate. The 2-yr study was completed by 174 patients. Both groups showed an improvement in the quality of life of 7%. PEF variability decreased by 32% and 29%, and the number of outpatient visits by 25% and 18% in groups S and C, respectively. No significant differences in these parameters were found between the two groups. After 1 yr, patients in both groups perceived better control of asthma and had more self-confidence regarding their asthma. The latter improvements were significantly greater in group S as compared to group C. There were no other differences in outcome parameters between the groups. Individual self-treatment guidelines for exacerbations on top of a general self-management programme does not seem to be of additional benefit in terms of improvements in the clinical outcome of asthma. However, patients in the self-treatment group had better scores in subjective outcome measures such as perceived control of asthma and self-confidence than patients in the control group.
Original languageUndefined
Pages (from-to)386-394
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean respiratory journal
Volume17
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Keywords

  • IR-42416
  • METIS-201399

Cite this