Is the asthmatic patient competent to manage his disease? A study of 280 patients in Seine-Saint-Denis, France

• Published in: Revue des maladies respiratoires Vol. 32; no. 3; p. 229
• Main Authors: Maurer, C, Nozick, M, Lahmek, P, Bonhour, G, Kabbani, J, Kangue, P, Smahi, F, Tecucianu, L, Piquet, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Africa - ethnology; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Asthmatic Agents - therapeutic use; Asia - ethnology; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - epidemiology; Asthma - psychology; Diagnostic Self Evaluation; Educational Status; Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology; Employment; Female; France - epidemiology; Humans; Male; Medication Adherence; Mental Competency; Middle Aged; Patient Education as Topic; Patients - psychology; Prospective Studies; Self Care; Social Class; Status Asthmaticus - diagnosis; Status Asthmaticus - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; France; Asia; Africa; Niveau d’étude; Asthme; Educational diagnosis; Educational level; Diagnostic éducatif; Asthma
• ISSN: 1776-2588
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2014.02.008

The correct use of medication and the ability to assess the severity of the disease and to react appropriately in the case of exacerbation are essential objectives in the management of asthma patients. This study, conducted in a school of asthma in Seine-Saint-Denis, aims to measure the influence of socio-demographic and clinical factors, before any educational process, on these four security skills. A prospective observational study concerning 280 consecutive patients managed between 2008 and 2011 (70 % women, mean age: 44 years [14-85 years]; deprivation: 48 %; born abroad: 39 %, low level of education: 23 %). The initial educational diagnosis was compared with the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. In relation to asthma control, social characteristics (unemployment, deprivation), geographic or ethnic origin and educational level significantly influence the command of all or some of the security skills. In medical terms, a period of evolution of the disease of less than 10 years, outpatient follow-up without specialized monitoring and the absence of recent exacerbations also appear as predictors of inappropriate conduct in the management of the disease. This study suggests new priority targets for therapeutic education in asthma.