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Evidence summaries

Self-Management of Asthma by Adjustment of Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

Self management appears to reduce incidents caused by asthma and improve quality of life. Level of evidence: "B"

In a 12 month prospective randomised trial 115 patients with mild to moderately severe asthma were educated to adjust anti-inflammatory therapy according to peak flow measurements 1. 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.

    References

    • Lahdensuo A, Haahtela T, Herrala J, Kava T, Kiviranta K, Kuusisto P, Perämäki E, Poussa T, Saarelainen S, Svahn T. Randomised comparison of guided self management and traditional treatment of asthma over one year. BMJ 1996 Mar 23;312(7033):748-52. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords