Role of "Asthma School" in Disease Management

Conditions studied

Asthma

About this study

According to the definition provided by the GINA guidelines, asthma is characterized by a variable and reversible limitation of expiratory airflow and by the following symptoms: wheezing, dyspnoea, thoracic constriction and/or cough. The type and the severity of airflow limitation can vary over time (1) depending on external agents, such as physical exercise, polluting agents, climate changes and viral infections. The therapy is mainly based on the use of inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Patients affected by severe asthma (\~ 10% of total prevalence of asthma and at high risk of exacerbations and/or hospitalization) may not control their symptoms, even if exposed to maximal doses of inhalation therapy.The behavioural sciences can potentially help to find the psychological factors behind scarce adherence and to develop strategies with the aim of improving the interactive processes between patients, medical doctors and health care professionals

Interventions

• Behavioral: multidisciplinary lessons — the multidisciplinary lessons will be conducted by study staff, formed by pneumologist, nurse, biologist and respiratory therapist once a week within 1 month after randomization. Study staff will deal with the following topics: asthma physiopathology, recognition of asthma symptoms and exacerbation, educational interventions on therapy and device, nutritional counselling if necessary. Patients will receive a paper diary for symptoms and an expiratory pick flow meter (PFM) to be done twice a day

Primary outcomes

• number of exacerbations (2 years)
• ER accesses (2 years)
• number of asthma related hospitalizations (2 years)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Istituti Clinici Maugeri Pneumologia, Tradate, Lombardy 21049 Italy