Is self-management meaningful in bronchial asthma?

The threat and uncertainty involved in an asthma attack reduce the quality of life for the patient. Life quality can be improved if the patient learns self-management principles. This is easy to learn and involves a simple procedure requiring the patient to refer to written instructions in the event of an asthma exacerbation. As a basis for treatment the patient needs to measure maximum peak flow, which can be done with an easy-to-use peak flow meter. A value above 80% of the personal best indicates that the treatment has been successful. By means of printed instructions in credit card format, the appropriate treatment: for particular peak flow values and/or symptoms can be looked up and administered. So far there have been no self-management studies providing a definite answer on what interventions are effective and cost-effective. One clear result is that inhaled steroid therapy must be initiated early. Learning self-management patently leads to improvement in the patient's life quality and safety. In the long run this concept appears to be cost-saving with regard to days lost through sickness and hospitalization.