Sensitivity and specificity of asthma definitions and symptoms used in a survey of childhood asthma.
We compared the ability of definitions/symptoms of asthma to identify urban, elementary schoolchildren with physician-diagnosed asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) post-exercise challenge. Definitions of asthma from the literature were compared, including American Thoracic Society (ATS) and British Medical Research Council (BMRC) definitions. Modified ATS had the highest sensitivity (77%), whereas BMRC had the highest specificity (99%). The most sensitive symptom was "wheeze with cold" (89%). The most specific symptoms were "medication required," and "breathing normal between attacks" (95%). Definitions and symptoms were poor predictors of BHR. Researchers can use these estimates in selecting and defining specific populations of children with asthma.
Joseph
C L
CL
Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Foxman
B
B
Leickly
F E
FE
Peterson
E
E
Ownby
D
D
D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity