PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Laia Lamarca Fornell
AU  - Xavier Flor Escriche
AU  - Silvia Álvarez Álvarez
AU  - Montse Estruch Francitorra
AU  - Eva Ares Fernández
AU  - Cristina Alos Manrique
AU  - Cristina Santiago Fernández
AU  - Montserrat Reverté Simó
AU  - Edurne Pérez Mayo
AU  - Angels Raventos Castany
AU  - Glòria Sanchez Sanchez
AU  - Trinitat Tovar Velasco
AU  - M. Victòria Feijoo Rodriguez
TI  - Can we improve the follow up of asthmatic patients with asthma educational program (PAMA)?
DP  - 2014 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P3021
VI  - 44
IP  - Suppl 58
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P3021.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P3021.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2014 Sep 01; 44
AB  - Asthma prevalence has increased, becoming a health and economic problem, mainly due to poor control of the disease.OBJECTIVESTo determine if PAMA implementation:-Improves disease control and patients' quality of life-Reduces number of exacerbations and emergency visits due to asthmaSecondary:-To determine optimal PAMA application frequencyMETHODSA 3 years long RCT, in 10 urban primary care teams, to evaluate PAMA which includes: patient education: inhalation systems, exacerbation symptoms and treatment action plan, asthma control test (ACT), revision of patient's technique and delivery of behaviours to avoid list.Data were collected in an interview with his doctor or nurse. Main data: age, gender, smoking status, asthma severity, treatment, exacerbations, hospital admissions, ACT and quality of life test (mini-AQLQ).BASELINE RESULTS498 asthmatic patients were included and randomized into 3 intervention groups: I: PAMA application every 6 months:124; II: every 12 months:120; III: every 18 months:115 and control group: (usual management):139.Average age 49 years old (SD 16.4). 72% women. 36.9% had intermittent asthma, and 40% moderate persistent, 24.1% presented partially controlled and 5.8% uncontrolled asthma.47% had no follow-up visits and 51.4% presented exacerbations in the last year with 0.7(SD 1.1) average emergency visits for patient, 55.7% were attended in primary care and 30.9% solved with self-management or phone instructions. Average ACT scoring: 20.9(SD 4.2) and mini-AQLQ: 5.7(SD 1.1).CONCLUSIONSThe implementation of an educational program with scheduled follow-up visits can reduce the exacerbations as well as improve the asthma control and quality of life.