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.