Computer program helps people get the upper hand with asthma symptoms

The aim of treatment for asthma is to keep you from getting asthma symptoms, such as breathlessness or coughing fits. If you rarely get symptoms, doctors say you have well-controlled asthma, because the medication controls the symptoms. But many people find that treatment doesn't completely control their asthma, and are still bothered by symptoms, perhaps when they exercise.

Adjusting your medication can make a difference in how well your asthma is controlled. For example, taking an extra puff of your steroid inhaler each day might help if you've been getting more symptoms. And some people with well-controlled asthma (who don't get symptoms) may be able to cut down the amount of steroid medication they take.

The difficulty is knowing exactly when to do what. Many people with asthma only see their doctor occasionally, unless they are having particular problems. So, a computer program that can advise you on how to adjust your medicine to take account of your symptoms sounds like a good idea.

That's what researchers tested with a group of Dutch asthma patients. The patients filled in a weekly report about their symptoms, which used an algorithm to advise them how to adjust their medicine. After a year, those patients who'd had poor asthma control at the start of the study had much improved symptoms.

The program made less difference to those whose asthma was well-controlled at the start of the study, although these patients were able to reduce their dose, which may have helped them avoid side effects.

It's worth noting that the group who had the most asthma symptoms were also much more likely to smoke tobacco, and less likely to follow the protocol by filling in the report less week. Adjusting your medication can only help if you take it as agreed with your doctor.

What you need to know. The study shows that adjusting asthma medication to respond to symptoms can help to bring it under control. But the computer program is not yet widely available. If you're having problems with asthma, you could ask your doctor to help you draw up a plan for how you can adjust your medication.

—Anna Sayburn, patient editor, BMJ Group

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—Aaron Bailey