title: [Quality scale for preschool spirometry interpretation].
abstract: Since 2007, there are international guidelines for implementation and interpretation of spirometry in preschool children. A percentage of these patients cannot obtain maneuvers that meet all eligibility criteria. The objective of this study was to develop a quality scale for interpreting these partially acceptable spirometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Delphi methodology was used, which allows to reach consensus among experts analyzing a defined problem. We invited to participate pediatric pneumologists dedicated to lung function and who participated actively in scientific specialty societies in Chile. Successive rounds were conducted with questionnaires about criteria used to assess spirometry in preschool children. These criteria define the acceptability of spirometric maneuvers according to international guidelines. Proposed quality grades were very good, good, fair and bad.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen of the 15 invited experts accepted our invitation. In the first round 9 disagreed with the degree of regular quality. In the second round this was removed and 11 experts answered, 9 of them agreed with the use of this new version. The most contentious criterion was the end of expiration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most experts agreed with the final scale, using very good, good and bad judgments. This would help to improve the performance of spirometry in children between 2 and 5 years.
authors.affiliation: Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gatto
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bedregal
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pediatría Norte, Hospital Roberto del Río, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ubilla
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico San Borja Arriarán, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Hortensia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barrientos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cardiología y Enfermedades Respiratorias Pediátricas, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Solange
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caussade
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile; D003697:Delphi Technique; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires