[Usefulness of patient education and quality of life (QOL) evaluation in asthma patients]

Arerugi. 2002 Dec;51(12):1170-6.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Achieving successful treatment of bronchial asthma depends on its control by the patient. We implemented a program of educating asthma patients and conducted a QOL survey to objectively evaluate the patients'conditions. Thirty-nine asthma patients who were receiving treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid [beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) ] on an outpatient basis at our hospital, received instructions on proper drug administration in cooperation with the Pharmacy department of our hospital. The QOL survey (SF-36 and Marks et al. AQLQ) was conducted at the initial education session and again two months later. Thirty-two patients (82.0%) responded that they would like to continue to receive instructions on the administration of drugs. Significant improvements in Social, Concerns, Marks, and Scales were observed after the education. In addition, even those patients who stated that they did not want to receive instructions showed significant improvements in their QOL scores. The usefulness of patient education can be assessed by the change in the patients' QOL scores.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Quality of Life*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents