Twelve trials were included in a Cochrane review [Abstract] 1. They were of variable quality. Limited asthma education did not reduce hospitalisation for asthma. There was no effect on doctor's visits, lung function and medication use. There was no reduction in days lost from normal activity, but perceived asthma symptoms did improve after limited asthma education (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.74). In one study, limited asthma education was associated with reduced emergency department visits (WMD -2.76 average visits per person per year, 95% CI -4.34 to 1.18).
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (lack of blinding of outcome assessment) and indirectness (the studies were performed over a long time period, and the contents of present patient information may be different from the contents used in the studies).
Primary/Secondary Keywords