Association of Asthma Education with Asthma Control Evaluated by Asthma Control Test,FEV1, and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide

Background. Asthma education is an important adjunct for asthma control although the way asthma education affects asthma outcomes is poorly understood. The asthma control test (ACT), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) have all been used as markers of asthma control. However, the use of FeNO as a surrogate marker remains controversial. Objectives. (i) To examine whether asthma education is associated with asthma control; (ii) to compare absolute levels and changes of ACT, FEV₁, and FeNO over a year; and (iii) to evaluate whether FeNO can be used as an additional marker of asthma control. Methods. Fifty asthmatics with poor adherence (12 mild, 21 moderate, and 17 severe) received asthma education at study entry. Medications were unchanged for the first 3 months, and ACT, FEV₁, and FeNO measurements were recorded at entry, 3, 6, and 12 months. Asthma control was assessed at each visit and patients were categorized as either “stable” or “unstable” asthmatics according to the global initiative for asthma (GINA) guidelines. Results. A significant decrease in FeNO and increase in ACT score were noted in the stable asthmatic group at 3 months (p < .001), and this persisted over 12 months. Significant correlations were seen between changes (Δ) in FeNO, ACT, and FEV₁ over time. However, significant correlations between the absolute levels were not maintained over 12 months. A decrease of ≥18.6% in FeNO and a ≥3-point increase in ACT score (sensitivity: 80% and 73.3% and specificity: 83.3% and 87.5%, respectively) were associated with stable asthma control although the absolute levels were not. Conclusions. Asthma education may be useful to achieve stable control. In addition, changes rather than absolute levels of FeNO and ACT may be better markers of asthma control.     

Patient satisfaction with healthcare in asthmatics and patients with COPD before and after patient education

Patient satisfaction with general practitioners (GP) and pulmonary outpatient clinics has not been previously compared in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in addition to the effect of patient education on this satisfaction. We randomly allocated 78 asthmatics and 62 patients with COPD after ordinary outpatient management to a control or an intervention group. Intervention consisted of educational group sessions and individual sessions administered by a trained nurse and physiotherapist. A self-management plan was developed. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was answered at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up. Before randomization, a higher proportion of asthmatics were satisfied with the overall handling of their disease by the outpatient clinic (86%) compared with their GPs (72%, P=0.027, chi2-test). Equal and high proportions of patients with COPD were satisfied with both their GPs (85%) and the outpatient clinic (87%) and in general seemed more satisfied with their GP than asthmatics (P=0.064). At the 1 year follow-up, 100% of the educated patients with COPD reported overall satisfaction with GPs compared with 78% in the control group (P=0.023), but not for asthmatics (75 and 78%, respectively, P=0.581). We conclude that before being given education, asthmatics are more satisfied with the pulmonary outpatient clinic than with GPs, regarding the overall handling of their disease. Patients with COPD seemed more satisfied with GPs than asthmatics. For patients with COPD, patient education seemed to improve overall patient satisfaction with GPs, but this was not true for asthmatics. At baseline, overall satisfaction with the outpatient clinic was so beneficial that we had little chance of detecting any improvement.     

Predicting changes in clinical status of young asthmatics: Clinical scores or objective parameters?

Preventing asthma exacerbation is an important goal of asthma management. The existing clinical tools are not good in predicting asthma exacerbations in young children. Childhood Asthma Control Test (C‐ACT) was recently published to be a simple tool for assessing disease control in young children. This study investigated C‐ACT and other disease‐related factors for indicating longitudinal changes in asthma status and predicting asthma exacerbations. During the same clinic visit, asthma patients aged 4–11 years completed the Chinese version of C‐ACT and underwent exhaled nitric oxide and spirometric measurements. Blinded to these results, the same investigator assigned Disease Severity Score (DSS) and rated asthma control according to Global Initiative for Asthma. Asthma exacerbations during the next 6 months were recorded. Ninety‐seven patients were recruited, with their mean (standard deviation [SD]) age being 9.2 (2.0) years. Thirty‐six (37.1%) patients had uncontrolled asthma at baseline. C‐ACT, DSS, and FEV₁ differed among patients with different control status (P < 0.001 for C‐ACT and DSS; P = 0.028 for FEV₁). Thirty‐two patients had asthma exacerbations during the 6‐month follow‐up. Changes in patients' C‐ACT scores correlated with changes in asthma control status, DSS, and FEV₁ (P = 0.019, 0.034, and 0.020, respectively). C‐ACT score was lower among patients with asthma exacerbations (mean [SD]: 22.9 [4.2] vs. 24.5 [2.1]; P = 0.015). Logistic regression confirmed that the occurrence of asthma exacerbations was associated only with baseline C‐ACT (B = ?0.203, P = 0.042). In conclusion, C‐ACT is better than DSS and objective parameters in reflecting changes in asthma status and predicting asthma exacerbations in young children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:442–449. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Utilization of a patient-centered asthma passport tool in a subspecialty clinic

Introduction: Despite available and effective tools for asthma self-assessment (Asthma Control Test, ACT) and self-management (Asthma Action Plan, AAP), they are underutilized in outpatient specialty clinics. We evaluated the impact of a patient-centered checklist, the Asthma Passport, on improving ACT and AAP utilization in clinic. Methods: This was a randomized, interventional quality-improvement project in which the Asthma Passport was distributed to 120 pediatric asthma patients over the duration of 16 weeks. The passport's checklist consisted of tasks to be completed by the patient/family, including completion of the ACT and AAP. We compared rates of completion of the ACT and AAP for those who received the passport versus the control group, and assessed patient/caregiver and provider satisfaction. Results: Based on electronic medical record data from 222 participants, the ACT completion rate was not significantly different between the passport and control groups, however, the AAP completion rate was significantly greater than control (30.0% vs. 17.7%, p = 0.04). When per-protocol analysis was limited to groups who completed and returned their passports, ACT and AAP completion rates were significantly greater than control (73.8% vs. 44.1% (p = 0.002) and 35.7% vs. 17.7% (p = 0.04), respectively). Nearly all participants reported high satisfaction with care, and surveyed providers viewed the passport favorably. Conclusions: A patient-centered checklist significantly improved the completion rate of the AAP. For patient's who completed and returned the asthma passport, the ACT completion rate was also improved. Participants and providers reported high satisfaction with the checklist, suggesting that it can effectively promote asthma self-management and self-assessment without burdening clinicians or clinic workflow.     

Asthma Control Test and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate: Independent Pediatric Asthma Management Tools

Background: Management of asthma reflects the complexity of the pathogenesis. According to current National Heart Lung Blood Institute (NHLBI) guidelines, asthma control can be assessed using the validated asthma control test, measures of airway function, and overall assessment of risk and quality of life. We hypothesized that the asthma control test and measures of airway function are independent tools in asthma management. We also studied whether the presence of nasal symptoms is correlated to these measures. Methods: Serial visits (n = 45) to a pediatric respiratory clinic in an underserved area of San Diego County with a predominantly Hispanic population were reviewed. Patients were included if they were able to perform airway function tests and had more than one provider visit. Patients with other major diseases were excluded. We determined whether uncontrolled asthmatics, defined as an Asthma Control test (ACT) score of 19 or less, had lower % predicted peak expiratory flow Measurements as a group compared to those with higher scores. In addition, the individual ACT and airway function results were analyzed. Patients with and without nasal symptoms at the time of presentation were sub-analyzed to determine differences in ACT and peak flow measurements. Results: Based on n = 45 physician visits, the mean ACT score was 21 +/? 3.3 (range 12–25) and the mean peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was 87.4% +/? 11 (range 65–109%). Patients with ACT scores < / = to 19 or lower (< / = 90%) PEFRs were determined not to have more nasal symptoms. The measures of ACT and peak expiratory flow were independent and not correlated. Conclusions. Our study indicates that ACT and PEFR are distinct parameters used to manage patients in a pediatric outreach asthma clinic.     

Underdiagnosis of Nocturnal Symptoms in Asthma in General Practice

Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of nocturnal symptoms in a large sample of asthmatic patients, and to assess the agreement between patients' complaints and general practitioners' (GPs') reports in primary care. Design. Cross-sectional survey involved 3,526 GPs and 751 specialists (pulmonologists and allergists) and included 13,493 patients with persistent asthma. Symptoms, treatment, and social and medical data were collected in real time by the patients and their GPs. Setting. France. Results. Prevalence of nocturnal symptoms was 60%. A total of 7,989 patients with nocturnal symptoms had complete data for both patients and GPs; 3,849 (48.1%) had perfect agreement between GP and their complaints for nocturnal symptoms (agreement group; [kappa = 1]); 3,376(42.2%) declared having no symptoms during the night, but these were detected by the GP during the visit (underestimated by patients and detected by GPs); 773(9.6%) declared having nocturnal symptoms, but these were not detected by GPs. Patients with a good agreement with their GP's opinion were significantly more frequently followed-up by a specialist than other patients (p = 0.002). Conclusions. Nocturnal symptoms appear to be underdeclared by patients. GPs should therefore systematically ask their patients about nocturnal symptoms to increase control of asthma and to adequately manage its treatment.     

Asthma control and adherence in newly diagnosed young and elderly adult patients with asthma in Turkey

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the factors that affect asthma control and adherence to treatment in newly diagnosed elderly asthmatics in Turkey compared with younger patients. Methods: This real-life prospective observational cohort study was conducted at 136 centers. A web-based questionnaire was administered to the patients who were followed up for 12 months. Results: Analysis included 1037 young adult asthma patients (age <65 years) and 79 elderly asthma patients (age ≥65 years). The percentage of patients with total control in the elderly and young groups were 33.9% and 37.1% at visit 1, 20.0% and 42.1% (p = 0.012) at visit 2, and 50.0% and 49.8% at visit 3, respectively. Adherence to treatment was similar for both groups. Visit compliance was better in the elderly group than in the young group at visit 1 (72.2% vs. 60.8%, p = 0.045), visit 2 (51.9% vs. 34.9%, p = 0.002), and visit 3 (32.9% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.004). Adherence to treatment increased with asthma control in both groups (both p < 0.001) but decreased with the presence of gastritis/ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, and coronary artery disease in the elderly. Conclusions: Asthma control and adherence to treatment were similar for the elderly and young asthma patients, though the follow-up rate was lower in young patients. The presence of gastritis/ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux and coronary artery disease had negative impacts on the adherence to treatment in elderly adult patients.     

Quality of life and economic features in elderly asthmatics

BACKGROUND: In the geriatric population, asthma tends to be overlooked. Moreover, typical symptoms of asthma may mimic chronic bronchitis and emphysema. OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of asthma between elderly (>/=65 years) and adult (<65 years) asthma patients with regard to asthma severity, health-related quality of life, and direct expenditures for medical care generated by the disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was made in the asthmatic population older than 14 years in the area of Barcelona, Spain. Asthma severity was determined according to the International Consensus criteria of 1992. St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was used to measure the quality of life. Direct costs were calculated registering all costs generated by each patient per year. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 282 adult asthmatics and 51 elderly asthmatics. Asthma was more severe in the elderly group (mild 10%, moderate 35%, severe 55%) than in the adult group (mild 47%, moderate 35%, severe 18%). Elderly asthmatics had significantly higher total SGRQ scores (48 vs. 35, p < 0.001) than adult asthmatics, as well as significantly higher scores for all subscales. Asthma-derived direct costs in elderly asthmatics (mean USD 1,490 vs. USD 773) were double those in adult asthmatics, mainly due to higher costs of hospitalization and medication in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma in elderly people as compared with asthma in adulthood was more severe and was associated with a worse health-related quality of life, and significantly higher expenditures for medical care.     

What lies beyond Asthma Control Test: Suggestions for clinical practice

Background: Asthma Control Test (ACT ?) validity relies on Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) definition of control. It includes neither reversibility nor inflammation assessment despite their importance as hallmark of asthma, partially unrelated to symptoms. Furthermore though rhinitis may affect the patient's perception of asthma control, its impact on ACT accuracy has not been systematically evaluated. Objective: To explore ACT validity according to a definition of control including: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) ≥ 80%, negative reversibility test, exhaled nitric oxide at a flow rate of 50 ml/s (Fe_NO) < 50 ppb. Results: 177 asthmatics referring to our Unit have been studied. ACT with cut-off score ≥20 showed a good positive predictive value (83.5%) but low sensitivity (47.8%), specificity (66.7%), and negative predictive value (26.5%). ROC curves analysis indicates that ACT in patients with mild intermittent rhinitis is more reliable (AUC: 0.714; p < 0.05) than in patients with nasal polyposis/chronic rhino-sinusitis (AUC: 0.176; p > 0.05). Considering asthma classification, the probability that ACT detects patients with uncontrolled asthma is significantly higher in moderate persistent asthma subgroup than in mild persistent asthma one (OR 5.464; IC 95%: 2.5-11,9; p < 0.05). Conclusions: As ACT mainly relies on patient's reported outcomes, it may not completely reflect the airways inflammation and airways obstruction. The presence and severity of rhinitis may affect ACT outcome. The awareness of the variables that could influence ACT evaluation is much more important in the primary care setting where ACT may often represent the only tool for asthma assessment.     

Evaluation of the asthma control test: a reliable determinant of disease stability and a predictor of future exacerbations

Background and objective: This study assessed the asthma control test (ACT) cut‐off values for asthma control according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guideline in adults and the effectiveness of ACT scores in predicting exacerbations and serial changes in ACT scores over time in relation to treatment decisions. Methods: Subjects completed ACT together with same‐day spirometry and fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement at baseline and at 3 months. Physicians, blinded to the ACT scores and FeNO values, assessed the patient's asthma control in the past month and adjusted the asthma medications according to management guidelines. Asthma exacerbations and urgent health‐care utilization (HCU) at 6 months were recorded. Results: Three hundred seventy‐nine (120 men) asthmatics completed the study. The ACT cut‐off for uncontrolled and partly controlled asthma were ≤19 (sensitivity 0.74, specificity 0.67, % correctly classified 69.5) and ≤22, respectively (sensitivity 0.73, specificity 0.71, % correctly classified 72.1). Baseline ACT score had an odds ratio of 2.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.48–3.69) and 2.66 (1.70–4.18) for urgent HCU and exacerbations, respectively, at 6 months (P < 0.0001). However, baseline FeNO and spirometry values had no association with urgent HCU and exacerbations. The 3‐month ACT score of ≤20 correlated best with step‐up of asthma medications (sensitivity 0.65, specificity 0.81, % correctly classified 72.8). For serial changes of ACT scores over 3 months, the cut‐off value was best at ≤3 for treatment decisions with low sensitivity (0.23) and % correctly classified (57.3%) values. Conclusions: Single measurement of ACT is useful for assessing asthma control, prediction of exacerbation and changes in treatment decisions.     

The effectiveness of a pictorial asthma action plan for improving asthma control and the quality of life in illiterate women

Background: Written asthma action plans are an important part of asthma management, but cannot be used for illiterate people. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the effectiveness of a pictorial asthma action plan on asthma control, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and asthma morbidity in a population of illiterate women with asthma. Methods: Forty illiterate women with moderate-severe persistent asthma were assigned alternatively to receive either asthma education alone (control group) or asthma education and a pictorial asthma action plan (study group). Asthma control was assessed using the asthma control test (ACT), HRQoL was assessed using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the frequency of non-scheduled hospital or emergency visits was monitored. Results: Thirty-four patients completed the study. The ACT and SGRQ scores of both groups improved at every follow-up time point compared with baseline (p?p?=?0.034) and 2 months (23.28 versus 21.81, p?=?0.010) were higher in the study group than in the control group, but this was not maintained at 6 months (24.00 versus 23.25, p?=?0.069). The SGRQ scores at 6 months were better in the study group (18.12) than in the control group (23.96, p?=?0.033). No hospital admissions were recorded for either group. Conclusion: Education provides a significant improvement in asthma control and HRQoL while managing illiterate asthma patients, additionally the pictorial asthma action plan can be a helpful tool for self-medication.     

Irritable bowel syndrome in young and elderly patients with stable asthma

BACKGROUND: It has been speculated that asthma and irritable bowel syndrome may share common pathophysiological processes. AIM: To estimate the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in young and elderly patients with stable asthma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-five young (age < 60 years) and 66 elderly (age > or = 60 years) stable asthmatics, and 119 age-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled. In all participants, presence of irritable bowel syndrome, quality of life and psychological status were evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in asthmatic group was higher than that in the control group (27.5% versus 16.8%; odds ratio, 1.8 [1.0-3.4]; p=0.04). The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome was significantly higher in young asthmatics than in age-matched healthy controls (36.9% versus 20.3%; odds ratio, 2.2 [1.0-5.1]; p=0.04) and than in elderly asthmatics (36.9% versus 18.2%; odds ratio, 0.3 [0.1-0.8]; p=0.01). Logistic regression analysis identified the younger age (odds ratio, 2.1 [1.1-3.8]; p=0.01), and the presence of asthma (odds ratio, 1.9 [1.0-3.5]; p=0.03) as independent risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome in all participants after adjusting for gender. We also found impaired quality of life to be associated with the presence of irritable bowel syndrome and asthma in all participants after adjusting for age and gender. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome appears to be significantly higher in young asthmatics, but not in elderly asthmatics, compared to age-matched healthy counterparts. Potential pathogenic mechanisms of higher irritable bowel syndrome prevalence in young asthmatics need to be explained by further studies.     

The Effects of Asthma on Dental and Facial Deformities

Objective. The purpose of the study was to observe facial and teeth alterations in adult patients with asthma as opposed to a group who suffered from hypertension. Methods. All patients included in this cross-sectional observational study were interviewed to obtain clinical data. Patients also followed an orthodontic assessment using model-facial photographic and gypsum casts to diagnose malocclusion and dentofacial deformities. Asthmatic patients were divided in two groups according to asthma onset under or over 14 years of age. Results. A total of 61 asthmatics and 53 hypertensive patients were evaluated. Dental midline symmetry was significantly lower in asthmatics than in the hypertensive group (p = 0.006), whereas incompetent lip posture and open nasal lip angle were significantly more frequent in the asthmatic group than in the control group (p = 0.007 and 0.016, respectively). Asthmatics had more dental crossbite (p = 0.004), overbite (p = 0.01), overjet (p = 0.01), smaller inter bicuspids distance (p = 0.0009) and inter molar distance (p = 0.0001) than the control group. More crowding than diastems was observed in asthmatic patients. An association between the crossbite (p = 0.02) and maxillary crowding (p = 0.03) was also observed with the earlier age of asthma onset. Conclusion: The findings of this study lead us to note that dentofacial anomalies are related to asthma.     

Obesity in aspirin-tolerant and aspirin-intolerant asthmatics

Background and objective: Obesity is an important factor in the development of asthma. Aspirin hypersensitivity affects 5–10% of asthmatics. The association between obesity and aspirin hypersensitivity in asthma is unclear. This study evaluated the association of BMI and asthma in patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) and aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA). Methods: Aspirin provocation tests were performed in 667 asthmatic patients and changes in FEV₁ were used to categorize patients as ATA or AIA. The BMI of asthmatics was graded using the percentile BMI of 406 normal controls. Results: Aspirin-induced changes in FEV₁% ranged from 15% to 68%. Compared with the controls, the ATA group had a higher BMI (24.5 ± 0.1 vs 23.8 ± 0.2 kg/m², P = 0.001). The AIA group had a lower BMI. The aspirin-induced percentage fall in FEV₁ was inversely correlated with BMI in asthmatic patients (r = −0.094, P = 0.016). BMI was correlated with age and PC20, but not with FEV₁ in asthmatic patients. In a logistic regression adjusted for age, gender, and smoking status, FEV₁ and PC20 were associated with AIA with odds ratios of 0.986 and 0.586, respectively. BMI was associated with AIA with an odds ratio of 0.916. Conclusions: Aspirin intolerance in asthmatics explains the lesser association with obesity. Obesity is not a risk factor in the development of asthma in patients with AIA.     

Asthma onset pattern and patient outcomes in a chronic rhinosinusitis population

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is strongly associated with comorbid asthma. This study compares early‐onset and late‐onset asthma in a CRS population using patient‐reported and clinical characteristics.

Methods

At enrollment into a clinical registry, CRS patients completed the 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22), Asthma Control Test (ACT), mini‐Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (miniAQLQ), the 29‐item Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS‐29), and medication use questionnaires. Patients also reported comorbid asthma and age at first asthma diagnosis. Early‐onset (<18 years) and late‐onset (>18 years) asthma groups were defined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi‐square, and Kruskal‐Wallis tests were used to compare patient responses.

Results

A total of 199 non‐asthmatic (56.1%), 71 early‐onset asthmatic (20.0%), and 85 late‐onset asthmatic (23.9%) CRS patients completed the survey. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in late‐onset asthmatic (p = 0.046) while age, gender, race, and smoking history did not differ with time of asthma onset. SNOT‐22, ACT, and miniAQLQ were not different between asthma groups, but late‐onset asthmatics had significantly lower physical function than non‐asthmatics (p = 0.008). Compared to non‐asthmatics, late‐onset asthmatics showed increased rates of nasal polyps (p < 0.001), higher Lund‐Mackay scores (p = 0.005), and had received more oral steroid courses (p < 0.001) and endoscopic surgeries (p = 0.008) for CRS management. Late‐onset asthmatics compared to early‐onset asthmatics showed increased nasal polyposis (p = 0.011) and oral steroid courses for CRS (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

While CRS‐specific and asthma‐specific patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) were not significantly different among groups, CRS patients with late‐onset asthma had poorer physical function, more frequent nasal polyposis, and required increased treatment for CRS. Late‐onset asthma may predict more severe disease in CRS.

     

Asthma Control Test and Asthma Control Questionnaire: factorial validity,reliability and correspondence in assessing status and change in asthma control

Objective: This study examined the factor structures and reliabilities of the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-7; ACQ-6) and the correspondence between them in assessing both level and change in asthma control. Methods: Lung function and questionnaire data for ACT and ACQ were assessed in 113 asthma patients at the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of inpatient rehabilitation. Confirmatory factor analyses, composite reliability coefficients, Pearson correlations, Cohen’s Kappa and positive/negative agreements were computed. Results: Unidimensional factor structure was confirmed for ACT. For ACQ configural invariance (i.e. same factor structure) over time could not be established. Furthermore, in ACQ-7, FEV1 showed no relation to the latent factor. Reliability estimates were 0.86–0.88 (ACT), 0.88–0.92(ACQ-6) and 0.81–0.86 (ACQ-7). Pearson correlations between ACT and ACQ were between 0.75 and 0.90 and tended to be higher at T2. If the aim is to identify patients with either not well-controlled asthma or change in asthma control, concordance was at least moderate (Kappa?=?0.52–0.72). Correspondence tended to be lower in identifying patients with well-controlled asthma (Kappa?=?0.30–0.79). In some circumstances, ACQ-6 showed higher agreement with ACT than did ACQ-7. Conclusions: ACT is a unidimensional measure, but factor structure of ACQ remains unclear. Correspondence between ACT and ACQ depends on the aim of the assessment. Including FEV1 in the assessment of asthma control level even lowers reliability of ACQ and concordance with ACT. Our results support GINA (2014) in conceptualizing FEV1 as a risk factor for poor asthma outcome instead of an indicator of level of asthma control.     

Telemonitoring in asthma control: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: Telemonitoring seems to be a useful tool for patients’ management. The aim of our project was to test the applicability and potential effects of a 12-month telemonitoring of patients with asthma supported by information and communication technologies. Methods: We included 100 patients with asthma followed in the outpatient pulmonary clinic in a randomized controlled clinical trial. The patients’ data were collected by study questionnaires and lung function tests at the inclusion and at the end of interventional period. In the interventional group, asthma control test (ACT) and peak expiratory flow measurements (PEF) were stimulated to be regularly reported by Short Message Service (SMS). As a response to reported values, the patients automatically received a preformed text or a call from a study nurse in case of detected predefined critical values. Results: The compliance of reporting PEF and ACT values was higher than 80% in 96% of patients. Although we did not detect significant differences in ACT score improvement between the two study groups, we found more prominent improvement of ACT score in the subgroup of patients with two or more exacerbations prior to inclusion in the interventional group, compared to the control group. 40 (78%) patients in the interventional group listed at least one positive effect of telemonitoring on management of asthma. Conclusions: The developed program for home monitoring of patients with asthma was applicable and offered the patients support in managing their disease. Further studies with more selected patients are needed to confirm its usefulness in improving asthma control.     

Relationship between Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (EIB) and Asthma Control Test (ACT) in Asthmatic Children

Objective. Evaluate the relationship between Asthma Control Test? (ACT) and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in 81 asthmatic children. Methods. EIB was assessed in every patient by Balke protocol and asthma control was evaluated by ACT. Patients were divided into three groups: Group A (30 patients) with complete asthma control (ACT score = 25), Group B (37 patients) with partial asthma control (ACT score = 21–24), and Group C (14 patients) with poor asthma control (ACT score < 20). Results. About 36% (11/30) of patients in Group A (with complete asthma control) tested positive for EIB, whereas 21% (8/37) in Group B (with partial asthma control) and 28% (4/14) in Group C (with poor asthma control) exhibited EIB. The percentage of positive EIB was very similar between the three groups with no differences between controlled, partially controlled, and uncontrolled asthma. Statistical evaluation by χ²-test between complete (ACT score = 25) and not complete asthma control (ACT score < 24) confirmed a statistically significant difference (p < .01) between the obtained data. Conclusions. It must be stated that ACT alone is not sufficient to evaluate asthma control in children correctly because it fails to detect EIB in a significant percentage of subjects.