Symptom reporting in asthma patients and insulin-dependent diabetics.

In this paper, results from two studies are presented. (1) Sixty-eight diabetics registered their blood glucose levels both as estimated and as measured and they indicated the intensity of 20 symptoms on a symptom checklist. Data were assessed twice a day over a 30-day period. During this period, blood glucose levels decreased slightly, the accuracy of blood glucose estimation improved, and for about half of the subjects specific symptoms could be identified, which covaried closely with blood glucose levels over time. (2) Fifty-three asthmatic patients monitored their peak flow each morning and evening over a period of 30 days. Before measuring peak flow, the patients estimated their peak flow and indicated the intensity of 28 symptoms specific for asthma. For about half of the sample, symptoms were identifiable, which correlated highly with measured peak flow. A substantial increase in the accuracy of estimated peak flow could be observed over time.