title: Evaluation of association between exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and childhood asthma control test questionnaire scores in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Asthma control represents a major challenge in the management of asthmatic children; however, correct perception of control is poor. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between subjective answers given to the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) and objective evaluation of exercise-induced bronchonstriction (EIB) by standardized treadmill exercise challenge.
  
  
  METHODS
  EIB was evaluated by standardized treadmill exercise challenge and related to C-ACT scores in 92 asthmatic children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 92 studied children only six children had a concordance between a positive challenge test (ΔFEV1 ≥ 13%) and a positive response to the exercise-related issue of the C-ACT questionnaire (C-ACT total score ≤ 19). There was no significant association between the degree of EIB and the scores relative to the single question on exercise-related problems while a significant association was found when considering the whole questionnaire with C-ACT total score > 19 (r = -0.40, P < 0.001). The two single questions showing a significant association were those focusing on nocturnal asthma. The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) for the sum of the scores of these questions in relationship to a positive response to the exercise test was 0.74. The AUC of the C-ACT total score was 0.76 and 0.55 for the specific question on EIB related problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The discrimination power of the C-ACT total score in relationship to EIB was moderately good, and C-ACT questionnaire was capable of correctly predicting the absence of EIB in children reporting a global score > 19. However, direct questions on EIB are associated with a high number of false positive and negative responses; better associations are found questioning on the presence on nocturnal symptoms.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors: Iolanda
authors: I
authors: Chinellato
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Piazza
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Sandri
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Cardinale
authors: Diego G
authors: DG
authors: Peroni
authors: Attilio L
authors: AL
authors: Boner
authors: Giorgio L
authors: GL
authors: Piacentini
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005080:Exercise Test; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires