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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2006 Jun;160(6):622-8.
doi: 10.1001/archpedi.160.6.622.

Effectiveness of nebulizer use-targeted asthma education on underserved children with asthma

Arlene M Butz  1 , Mona G Tsoukleris, Michele Donithan, Van Doren Hsu, Ilene Zuckerman, Kim Elizabeth Mudd, Richard E Thompson, Cindy Rand, Mary Elizabeth Bollinger
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of nebulizer use-targeted asthma education on underserved children with asthma

Arlene M Butz et al. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a home-based asthma education intervention in increasing appropriate nebulizer use and reducing symptom frequency, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations over 12 months.

Design: A randomized clinical trial. Settings Pediatric primary care, pulmonary/allergy, and ED practices associated with the University of Maryland Medical System and The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore.

Participants: Children with persistent asthma, aged 2 to 9 years, with regular nebulizer use and an ED visit or hospitalization within the past 12 months. Children were randomized into the intervention (n = 110) or control (n = 111) group. Follow-up data were available for 95 intervention and 86 control children.

Intervention: Home-based asthma education, including symptom recognition, home treatment of acute symptoms, appropriate asthma medication, and nebulizer practice.

Main outcome measures: Estimates of mean differences in asthma symptom frequency, number of ED visits and hospitalizations and appropriate quick relief, controller medication, and nebulizer practice over 12 months.

Results: Of the 221 children, 181 (81.9%) completed the study. There were no significant differences in home nebulizer practice, asthma morbidity, ED visits, or hospitalizations between groups (P range, .11-.79). Although most children received appropriate nonurgent asthma care (mean, 2 visits per 6 months), more than one third of all children received at least 6 quick-relief medication prescriptions during 12 months, with no difference by group.

Conclusions: A nebulizer education intervention had no effect on asthma severity or health care use. Of concern is the high quick-relief and low controller medication use in young children with asthma seen nearly every 3 months for nonurgent care.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Flow diagram of subject progress through a randomized trial. The asterisk indicates that P=.09 for the differences by group for those excluded from follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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