Patients' perceptions of well-being using a guided self-management plan in asthma

Asthma can place considerable restrictions on the healthrelated quality of life of asthma patients and their families; this burden may be greatest when symptoms are not adequately controlled. The Symbicort Adjustable Maintenance Dosing Programme, consisting of studies from several different countries, compared a guided selfmanagement plan that allows adjustable maintenance dosing using budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler (Symbicort) with fixed dosing. Quality of life was assessed in three countries, using asthma-specific and generic questionnaires. Clinically relevant improvements in mean quality of life scores were observed from the beginning to the end of the 1-month run-in, which were maintained or further improved during randomised treatment in both groups. A modified patient enablement instrument was also used in the UK study to assess patients’ feelings of control towards their asthma. Adjustable maintenance dosing patients showed significantly (p < 0.05) greater feelings of enablement compared with fixed dosing. These outcomes were achieved with less study drug usage, compared with fixed dosing.