Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Asthma guidelines urge teaching patients the knowledge and skills required for self-management, based on the assumption that education will lead to improved skills and better asthma control. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized controlled trial of 65 adults with mild-to-moderate asthma, we examined whether an educational self-management intervention would improve adherence to inhaled corticosteroid therapy, decrease markers of airway inflammation, and improve clinical control. Peak flow, symptoms, and adherence were monitored for 7 weeks. After a 1-week run-in, subjects were assigned randomly to either the educational intervention or control group. The 30-minute intervention was delivered and reinforced at biweekly intervals. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the intervention group had improvements in adherence to inhaled corticosteroid therapy (by 30% vs. -5%, P = 0.01), self-reported control of asthma (by 14% vs. 5%, P = 0.04), and perhaps quality of life (by 37% vs. 21%, P = 0.06). The direction of change for all other clinical outcomes was more favorable in the intervention group, but not significantly so. Markers of inflammation in sputum decreased more in the intervention group, with sputum eosinophils declining significantly (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Susan L Janson, John V Fahy, Jack K Covington, Steven M Paul, Warren M Gold, Homer A Boushey |
Journal | The American journal of medicine
(Am J Med)
Vol. 115
Issue 8
Pg. 620-6
(Dec 01 2003)
ISSN: 0002-9343 [Print] United States |
PMID | 14656614
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Adrenal Cortex Hormones
- Biomarkers
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Topics |
- Administration, Inhalation
- Adrenal Cortex Hormones
(administration & dosage)
- Adult
- Asthma
(diagnosis, metabolism, therapy)
- Biomarkers
(analysis)
- Eosinophils
(metabolism)
- Female
- Health Behavior
- Humans
- Inflammation
(metabolism)
- Male
- Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
- Patient Compliance
- Patient Education as Topic
(methods)
- Prospective Studies
- Respiratory Function Tests
- Self Care
(methods)
- Sputum
(chemistry)
- Treatment Outcome
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