Effects of an outpatient education program in patients with uncontrolled asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an outpatient education program in patients with uncontrolled asthma. METHODS: This was an uncontrolled study evaluating an educational intervention and involving patients with uncontrolled asthma ≥ 14 years of age. The participants completed a questionnaire designed to assess the level of asthma control, the inhalation technique, and quality of life. All of the patients underwent pulmonary function testing, after which they participated in an education program consisting of one 45-min face-to-face session, followed by phone interviews at two, four, and eight weeks. The participants were reevaluated after three months. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients completed the study. There was a significant improvement in the level of asthma control (p < 0.001). Of the 63 patients, 28 (44.4%) and 6 (9.5%) were classified as having partially controlled asthma and controlled asthma, respectively. The mean FEV1 was 63.0 ± 20.0% and 68.5 ± 21.2% of the predicted value prior to and after the educational intervention, respectively (p = 0.002), and all of the quality of life scores improved (p < 0.05 for all). The same was true for the proportion of patients prior to and after the educational intervention using the proper inhalation technique when using metered dose inhalers (15.4% vs. 46.2%; p = 0.02) and dry powder inhalers (21.3% vs. 76.6%; p < 0.001). The logistic regression analysis revealed that an incorrect inhalation technique identified during the first evaluation was independently associated with a favorable response to the educational intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that an outpatient education program for asthma patients improves the level of asthma control, lung function parameters, and quality of life. An incorrect inhalation technique identified during the first evaluation was predictive of a favorable response to the educational intervention.

Effects of an outpatient education program in patients with uncontrolled asthma / Efeitos de um programa educativo ambulatorial em pacientes com asma não controlada

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an outpatient education program in patients with uncontrolled asthma. METHODS: This was an uncontrolled study evaluating an educational intervention and involving patients with uncontrolled asthma ≥ 14 years of age. The participants completed a questionnaire designed to assess the level of asthma control, the inhalation technique, and quality of life. All of the patients underwent pulmonary function testing, after which they participated in an education program consisting of one 45-min face-to-face session, followed by phone interviews at two, four, and eight weeks. The participants were reevaluated after three months. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients completed the study. There was a significant improvement in the level of asthma control (p < 0.001). Of the 63 patients, 28 (44.4%) and 6 (9.5%) were classified as having partially controlled asthma and controlled asthma, respectively. The mean FEV1 was 63.0 ± 20.0% and 68.5 ± 21.2% of the predicted value prior to and after the educational intervention, respectively (p = 0.002), and all of the quality of life scores improved (p < 0.05 for all). The same was true for the proportion of patients prior to and after the educational intervention using the proper inhalation technique when using metered dose inhalers (15.4% vs. 46.2%; p = 0.02) and dry powder inhalers (21.3% vs. 76.6%; p < 0.001). The logistic regression analysis revealed that an incorrect inhalation technique identified during the first evaluation was independently associated with a favorable response to the educational intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that an outpatient education program for asthma patients improves the level of asthma control, lung function parameters, and quality of life. An incorrect inhalation technique identified during the first evaluation was predictive ...

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa educativo ambulatorial em pacientes com asma não controlada. MÉTODOS: Estudo não controlado, avaliando uma intervenção educacional e envolvendo pacientes com idade ≥ 14 anos com asma não controlada. Os participantes responderam a um questionário para avaliar o grau de controle da asma, a qualidade de vida e a técnica inalatória e foram submetidos a testes de função pulmonar. A seguir, participaram do programa educativo, que consistia de uma sessão inicial de 45 min e de entrevistas telefônicas em duas, quatro e oito semanas. Os participantes foram reavaliados após três meses. RESULTADOS: Completaram o estudo 63 pacientes. Houve melhora significativa no grau de controle da asma (p < 0,001). Dos 63 pacientes, 28 (44,4%) e 6 (9,5%) passaram a apresentar asma parcialmente controlada e controlada, respectivamente. Antes e depois a intervenção educacional, a média de VEF1 foi, respectivamente, 63,0 ± 20,0% do previsto e 68,5 ± 21,2% do previsto (p = 0,002), e todos os escores de qualidade de vida melhoraram (p < 0,05 para todos). O mesmo ocorreu com a proporção de pacientes com técnica inalatória adequada no uso de inalador pressurizado (15,4% vs. 46,2%; p = 0,02) e de dispositivo de pó (21,3% vs. 76,6%; p < 0,001). A análise de regressão logística identificou que a técnica inalatória incorreta na primeira avaliação estava independentemente associada com a resposta favorável à intervenção educativa. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo sugere que um programa educativo ambulatorial resultou em uma melhora no grau de controle da asma, na função pulmonar e na qualidade de vida. A técnica inalatória incorreta na avaliação ...