[Effect of educational programs on the quality of life of patients with bronchial asthma]

The investigation included 310 patients with bronchial asthma who were observed in the Center of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (Ekaterinburg) during 4 years (1997-2000). Three patient groups were educated according to the complex program developed by the authors: group 1--in asthma-school, asthma-club, with the use of cognitive game and asthma-phone; group 2--with the help of printed educational materials; group 3--with the use of mass media. Patients' life quality was determined by the adapted questionnaire SF-36 and evaluated in 2 years of participation in the corresponding programs. Education of BA patients according to the prolonged complex program had more expressed positive effect on life quality than education based on popular literature and mass media. Significant differences by criteria connected with physical activity and psycho-emotional sphere were revealed. Life quality of the patients at the age of 15-34 and educated according to the authors' program was significantly higher by all criteria than life quality of those who educated using popular literature and mass media. The influence of these two educational forms on BA patients' life quality appeared to b quite similar.