[Daily care of patients with asthma in the pulmonary practice: changes in asthma - control and therapy depending on the initial level of control].

To assess the quality of treatment of patients with asthma who were treated jointly by pulmonologists and the family doctor, a data analysis was performed in 13 asthma specialists in 894 asthmatics and a written survey of patients after 3 months of treatment.The data analysis related to the current therapy, the therapy changes and the changes in asthma control test (ACT). One focus of the investigation was placed on the separate analysis of patients with controlled and uncontrolled asthma. Both patient groups show both decrease, as well as increases in the number of points of the ACT. In patients with non-controlled asthma, the proportion of an increase in the number of points in the ACT is above average and indicates an improvement of the disease. This is operated in the patient's subjective assessment. In both patient groups there is a large proportion of patients who report a subjective improvement. An improvement is usually achieved by an improved pharmacotherapy, a deterioration usually occurs due to external influences. The differences for the patient groups are here but less significantly. There is a general satisfaction with both the drug therapy, as well as with the handling. The inhalation drug therapy is performed very stable. In patients with poor asthma control therapy is usually intensified. In oral pharmacotherapy oral steroid therapy has a great dynamic in patients with uncontrolled asthma. In this group, the most frequent increases in the dose of inhaled substances are recorded.
(© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)