Randomised comparison of guided self management and traditional treatment of asthma over one year.

Abstract

To compare the efficacy of self management of asthma with traditional treatment. 12 month prospective randomised trial. Outpatient clinics in Finland. 115 patients with mild to moderately severe asthma. Patient education and adjustment of anti-inflammatory therapy guided by peak flow measurements. Unscheduled admissions to hospital and outpatient visits, days off work, courses of antibiotics and prednisolone, lung function, and quality of life. The mean number of unscheduled visits to ambulatory care facilities (0.5 v 1.0), days off work (2.8 v 4.8), and courses of antibiotics (0.4 v 0.9) and prednisolone (0.4 v 1.0) per patient were lower and the quality of life score (16.6 v 8.4 at 12 months) higher in the self management group than in the traditionally treated group. In both groups admissions for asthma were rare. Self management reduces incidents caused by asthma and improves quality of life.