METHODS

Design:

randomised controlled trial.

Allocation:

concealed.*

Blinding:

clinicians, patients, {data collectors, outcome assessors, data analysts, and monitoring committee}†.*

Follow up period:

12 month follow up at 3 month intervals.

Setting:

general practices in western and central Scotland, UK.

Patients:

259 patients ⩾18 years of age (mean age 54 y, 58% women), who had been diagnosed with asthma for ⩾1 year and were receiving ⩾800 μg daily of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (or equivalent dosage of budesonide or fluticasone propionate). Exclusion criteria: need for oral corticosteroids, general practice visit or hospital visit for asthma in the past 2 months; inability to use a peak flow metre; treatment with immunosuppressive drugs; serious illness; alcohol, drug, or substance abuse; …