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. 1996 Mar 23;312(7033):748–752. doi: 10.1136/bmj.312.7033.748

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

A Lahdensuo 1, T Haahtela 1, J Herrala 1, T Kava 1, K Kiviranta 1, P Kuusisto 1, E Perämäki 1, T Poussa 1, S Saarelainen 1, T Svahn 1
PMCID: PMC2350456  PMID: 8605463

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of self management of asthma with traditional treatment. DESIGN: 12 month prospective randomised trial. SETTING: Outpatient clinics in Finland. SUBJECTS: 115 patients with mild to moderately severe asthma. INTERVENTIONS: Patient education and adjustment of anti-inflammatory therapy guided by peak flow measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Unscheduled admissions to hospital and outpatient visits, days off work, courses of antibiotics and prednisolone, lung function, and quality of life. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: Self management reduces incidents caused by asthma and improves quality of life.

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Selected References

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