Study design
Before the recruitment, patients were evaluated for their adherence to treatment. If the patients and caregivers were using their treatment properly with right technique, they were evaluated for the control status of asthma and needed therapy. This first evaluation visit was also a preparation and adaptation for filling the forms of ACT/PACT, PAQLQ and measurement of FeNO and lung function. The patients completed this visit successfully were enrolled in the study. A diary was given to each patient in order to note their symptoms and the controller/rescue treatment that they received. They were called for control visit and tests 4 weeks later.
The next visit was recorded as the main visit of the study. At the visit, children/caregivers completed ACT or PACT according to their age group and PAQLQ. Second step composed of FeNO measurement and spirometric evaluation, respectively. Then, patients were evaluated by the same pediatric asthma specialists in a blinded way to PACT/ACT scores and FeNO results, who determined the “control status” of the patients and adjusted the therapy according to the GINA guidelines via the diary filled by them, in order to achieve or maintain a status of “controlled asthma”. Descriptive and clinical features were learnt from the caregivers and the medical records.