Clinical center-based health management and quality of life of patients with asthma

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of clinical center-based health management on quality of life (QOL)of patients with asthma. Methods A total of 642 patients who had received standard anti-asthma treatment over 3 years in our clinical center from September 2005 up to now were randomly assigned to the good compliance group (group A, n=326)and bad compliance group (group B, n=316). A questionnaire was used to estimate the awareness about asthma, medical therapy and disease control.Levels of QOL were compared at 6 months and 1 and 3 years after health education. Results In group A, uncontrolled, partly controlled, and completely controlled asthma were found in 21%, 47%, and 32% participants, respectively.Significant difference of QOL was shown between the 2 groups after the intervention (P<0.05). At 6 months, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), percentage of predicted FEV1 (FEV1%pre), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF)were significantly improved in group A (all P<0.05), although acute attack and hospitalization were largely reduced.In comparison with baseline, 6 months and 1 year, self-reported QOL, limitation of motion, stimulus avoidance and response, and disease concerns were significantly changed at 3 years. Conclusions Clinic center-based health management could benefit disease control and QOL of patients with asthma. Key words: Asthma; Quality of life; Health management