Impact of pre-test information on patient compliance with the spirometry protocol: a randomized controlled clinical trial

S. Dogru, S. Aytac, S.A.A. Al-Haithamy, O. Ovayolu, C. Sezgi, M. Taylan, M. Uyar

Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Turkey. drsibelahmet@hotmail.com

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• Respiratory Medicine

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of brochure-based and video-assisted information provided before spirometry on patient compliance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Before the test, subjects in intervention groups were shown a leaflet outlining the steps of the spirometry protocol and a video prepared for the same purposes. The control group was given standard routine information by the technician before spirometry.

RESULTS: The study included 450 patients. We found a significant correlation between compliance status and age, female sex, being a non-smoker, having no known lung disease, investigating respiratory disease as an indication for spirometry, having first-time spirometry, and receiving pre-test information via leaflets. Variables of age, sex, smoking, indication for spirometry, diagnosis, and previous spirometry, which were found in multivariate analysis to be associated with ‘compliance with the test protocol’ were further processed using regression analysis which identified ‘previous spirometry’ as the most decisive variable affecting ‘compliance with the test protocol’.

CONCLUSIONS: Providing information via brochure-based and video-supported information did not contribute to compliance with the testing protocol, leading us to the conclusion that such informative tools do not provide an additional contribution. Previous spirometry experience was the most decisive parameter influencing adherence to the test protocol.

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