Expert patient self-management program versus usual care in bronchiectasis: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the efficacy of a disease-specific Expert Patient Programme (EPP) compared with usual care in patients with bronchiectasis.

DESIGN

Proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Regional respiratory center.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients (N=64; age, >18y) with a primary diagnosis of bronchiectasis based on a respiratory physician's assessment including a computed tomographic scan.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention (usual care plus EPP; n=32) or control group (usual care only; n=32).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcome measure was the Chronic Disease Self-efficacy Scale (CDSS). Other outcome measures included the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), the St Georges Respiratory Questionnaire, and standard EPP questionnaires. Data were collected at baseline, postintervention, and 3 and 6 months postintervention.

RESULTS

This disease-specific EPP for patients with bronchiectasis significantly improved self-efficacy in 6 of 10 subscales (CDSS subscales: exercise regularly [P=.02]; get information about disease [P=.03]; obtain help from community, family, and friends [P=.06]; communicate with physician [P=.85]; manage disease in general [P=.05]; do chores [P=.04]; social/recreational activities [P=.03]; manage symptoms [P<.01]; manage shortness of breath [P=.08]; control/manage depression [P=.01]) compared with usual care. There was no improvement on IPQ-R score. Patients who received the intervention reported more symptoms and decreased quality of life between 3 and 6 months postintervention and an increase in some components of self reported health care use. Patients receiving the disease-specific EPP indicated they were satisfied with the intervention and learned new self-management techniques. There were no significant differences in lung function over time.

CONCLUSIONS

This original study indicates that a disease-specific EPP results in short-term improvements in self-efficacy. Based on these positive preliminary findings, a larger adequately powered study is justified to investigate the efficacy of a disease-specific EPP in patients with bronchiectasis.