| Methods |
DESIGN: Randomised trial of two interventions
METHOD OF RANDOMISATION: random stated, method not described.
MEANS OF ALLOCATION CONCEALMENT‐ not stated
OUTCOME ASSESSOR BLINDING ‐ not stated
WITHDRAWAL/DROPOUTS ‐ all subjects accounted for |
| Participants |
Eligible: 192
Randomised: 150
Completed: 100 (PEF group 56, symptom group 44)
Age: 17 to 37yrs PEF group 43%, symptom group 41%. 35 to 65 yrs PEF group 57%, symptom group 59%
Range:
Sex: Male / Female ‐ 49/51
Asthma Diagnosis: ATS criteria
Recruitment: Emergency Dept
Diseases Included:
Major exclusions: COPD, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, severe rheumatoid arthritis, neoplasia
Baseline: mild 8%, moderate 60%, severe 32%
FEV1: > 20% reversibility or > 20% reversibility after methacholine challenge
PEF:
Exacerbations: recruited while visiting ER with an acute exacerbation |
| Interventions |
Setting:
Type: Two optimal self management interventions. One based on peak flow the other on symptoms.
All subjects received personal instruction on general asthma concepts, treatment, asthma management, adherence enhancing strategies and regular review.
PEF group: received informative pamphlets, diary cards for PEF self monitoring and a written self management plan with colour coded card.
Symptom group: received a self management plan based on symptoms only
Duration: Commenced 1month after ER visit with follow‐up at 15 days, 1 month and every 3 months for total 1 year |
| Outcomes |
Hospitalisation, ER visits, FEV1, days off work, nocturnal asthma, exacerbations, FVC, days with symptoms, inhaler technique, adherence |
| Notes |
Jadad Score = 4 |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
Information not available |
