Abstract

Introduction: The goal of Asthma Management is to achieve good control of symptoms, reduce exacerbations and maintain normal lung functions. To assess the control, we have subjective and objective scores. There are some patients who are poor perceiver of symptoms, who may show well controlled asthma on ACT but PEFR shows poor performance, which may be a risk factor for exacerbations. Aim: To assess control of asthma by ACT and PEFR. Methodology: One year study was conducted in Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly where 80 patients diagnosed as Bronchial Asthma were enrolled. Their control was checked at 6th week by ACT and PEFR. 21 Patients showing well controlled asthma on ACT but poor PEFR (<80% pred.) were labelled as poor perceivers. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group I was given PEFR as home monitoring tool and Group II continued with ACT only. They were reassessed for control and exacerbations at 3 and 6 months. Results: On assessment of the asthma control, at 6th week, 40% (32) patients had well controlled asthma on ACT. Out of these 32 patients, only 34% (11) had good PEFR (>80% predicted). 66% (21) patients had poor PEFR (<80%predicted) and labelled as POOR PERCEIVERS. At 3 months, amongst the Group I patients (10), 70% patient had good PEFR but in Group II patients (11), only 36% patients had good PEFR. At 6 months of follow up, Group I patients either had no or mild exacerbation but in Group II, patients had mild to moderate exacerbations. Discussion: In the society, there are many patients who are poor perceivers of symptoms who need objective monitoring with PEFR which increases the compliance to the therapy and minimize the exacerbations, ACT alone is not sufficient in such group.