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Comparative Study
. 1999 Oct;36(7):565-73.
doi: 10.3109/02770909909087293.

Sensitivity and specificity of asthma definitions and symptoms used in a survey of childhood asthma

C L Joseph  1 , B Foxman, F E Leickly, E Peterson, D Ownby
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Sensitivity and specificity of asthma definitions and symptoms used in a survey of childhood asthma

C L Joseph et al. J Asthma. 1999 Oct.

Abstract

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.

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