Abstract
BackgroundSevere asthma is difficult to control. Therapeutic patient education enables patients to better understand their disease and cope with treatment, but the effect of therapeutic patient education in severe uncontrolled asthma is unclear. We evaluated whether therapeutic patient education is effective in improving asthma control and decreasing the frequency of exacerbations in severe uncontrolled asthma.MethodsThis was a prospective, observational, and self-controlled study that enrolled 40 subjects with severe uncontrolled asthma. Patients were seen at a clinic four times (on day 1 and after 3, 6, and 12 months). After baseline data collection, the subjects completed a therapeutic patient education program and were also followed-up via telephone after 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 months to monitor asthma medication adherence and collect asthma-related information.ResultsWithin the 1-year study period, a total of 23 exacerbations were recorded in 14 patients, seven of whom required emergency treatment and two of whom were hospitalized. Twelve months after the standardized therapeutic patient education program, pulmonary function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels improved significantly in all 40 patients. Moreover, the scores from three standardized asthma questionnaires and indices suggested improved quality of life in these patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. Serum levels of biomarkers reflecting asthma immune responses did not change between baseline and the 1-year follow-up time point.ConclusionsTherapeutic patient education is effective in improving asthma control and decreasing exacerbations in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma.
Highlights
Patients who experience symptoms and severe asthma attacks even with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus another controller medication and/or systemic corticosteroids are defined as having severe uncontrolled asthma [3, 5]
Whether therapeutic patient education is effective in improving asthma control in severe uncontrolled asthma cases is unknown
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of therapeutic patient education on asthma control, exacerbations, pulmonary function, quality of life, and serum biomarkers in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma
Summary
Therapeutic patient education enables patients to better understand their disease and cope with treatment, but the effect of therapeutic patient education in severe uncontrolled asthma is unclear. We evaluated whether therapeutic patient education is effective in improving asthma control and decreasing the frequency of exacerbations in severe uncontrolled asthma. The aims of asthma management have altered to focus on achieving and maintaining good asthma control and reducing future risks, such as decreases in lung function, asthma exacerbations, hospitalizations, adverse effects from treatment, and death [2]. Whether therapeutic patient education is effective in improving asthma control in severe uncontrolled asthma cases is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of therapeutic patient education on asthma control, exacerbations, pulmonary function, quality of life, and serum biomarkers in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma
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