Evaluation of long-term efficacy of an asthma education programme in an out-patient clinic

The aim of the present study was to evaluate long-term efficacy of a patient education programme in an asthma out-patient clinic. The study included two groups. Educational group consisted of 25 patients who were given special education for one year. Usual care group included 27 patients who were not given special education. All patients were evaluated after 3 years follow-up period. Mean per cent asthma knowledge score (KS%), mean per cent demonstration score (DS%), daytime and nighttime symptom scores, Aas score, and pulmonary function tests were measured. The asthma-quality-of-life assessment was performed. The rate of application to emergency room and admission to hospital for last 1 year had been calculated. KS% was higher in educational group than in usual care group (P <0,001). Daytime score was 0.3 +/- 0.6 in educational group and was 0.8 +/- 1.2 in usual care group (P=0.08). Nighttime symptom score was found to be 0.5 +/- 0.9 and 0.9 +/- 1.3, respectively (P=0.07). Usual care group had higher Aas score compared to educational group (P=0.048). The total score of quality of life was 197.1 +/- 17.8 in educational group and was 176.7 +/- 33.7 in usual care group (P=0.009). While none of the patients had emergency room application and hospital admission in educational group, seven patients had 21 emergency room application (P=0.01) and four patients had four hospital admissions in usual care group. Additional short-acting inhaled beta-2 agonist usage was found lower in the educational group (P=0.068). In conclusion, proper drug use and usual care of patients are not sufficient for asthma treatment. Patient education is an important component of therapy in asthma patients. For a life with optimum standards, in addition to these factors, patient education must be accepted first by doctors and then by patients. (C) 2002 published by Elsevier Science Ltd.