Open AccessPatients' perceptions of well‐being using a guided self‐management plan in asthma
Author(s) -
Buhl R.,
Price D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1368-504x.2004.00262.x
Subject(s) - dosing , medicine , budesonide/formoterol , budesonide , asthma , inhaler , formoterol , quality of life (healthcare) , feeling , physical therapy , intensive care medicine , nursing , psychology , social psychology
Summary Asthma can place considerable restrictions on the health‐related quality of life of asthma patients and their families; this burden may be greatest when symptoms are not adequately controlled. The Symbicort ® Adjustable Maintenance Dosing Programme, consisting of studies from several different countries, compared a guided self‐management plan that allows adjustable maintenance dosing using budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler (Symbicort) with fixed dosing. Quality of life was assessed in three countries, using asthma‐specific and generic questionnaires. Clinically relevant improvements in mean quality of life scores were observed from the beginning to the end of the 1‐month run‐in, which were maintained or further improved during randomised treatment in both groups. A modified patient enablement instrument was also used in the UK study to assess patients' feelings of control towards their asthma. Adjustable maintenance dosing patients showed significantly (p < 0.05) greater feelings of enablement compared with fixed dosing. These outcomes were achieved with less study drug usage, compared with fixed dosing.