The validation of work-related self-reported asthma exacerbation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the validity of work-related self-reported exacerbation of asthma using the findings from serial peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements as the standard.


METHODS
Adults with asthma treated in a health maintenance organisation were asked to conduct serial spirometry testing at home and at work for 3 weeks. Self-reported respiratory symptoms and medication use were recorded in two ways: a daily log completed concurrently with the serial PEF testing and a telephone questionnaire administered after the PEF testing. Three researchers evaluated the serial PEF records and judged whether a work relationship was evident.


RESULTS
95 of 382 (25%) working adults with asthma provided adequate serial PEF data, and 13 of 95 (14%) were judged to have workplace exacerbation of asthma (WEA) based on these data. Self-reported concurrent medication use was the most valid single operational definition, with a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 65%.


CONCLUSIONS
A work-related pattern of self-reported asthma symptoms or medication use was usually not corroborated by serial PEF testing and failed to identify many people who had evidence of WEA based on the serial PEF measurements.
Bolen
Aimee R
AR
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26501, USA.
Henneberger
Paul K
PK
Liang
Xiaoming
X
Sama
Susan R
SR
Preusse
Peggy A
PA
Rosiello
Richard A
RA
Milton
Donald K
DK
D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires