Correlación y concordancia entre instrumentos de control del asma en niños

Abstract

Introduction: It has been shown that asthma control and quality of life in children have moderate correlation, however FEV1 would have only a weak correlation with these control parameters. Our objective was to measure clinical correlation and concordance between parameters of pediatric asthma control in Chilean children. Methods: Study carried out in the Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Roberto del Río Children's Hospital, between November 2009 and May 2010, in a series of persistent asthmatic children between 12 and 17years old. We measured the correlation and agreement between asthma quality of life (PAQLQ Juniper), asthma control (ACT) and FEV1 (percentage predicted). We used coefficient of Spearman rank correlation (rs) and kappa index. The sample size was calculated considering a power of 80 percent and p < 0.05. Results: We enrolled 88 patients, average age 13.4 years old, 61percent male. Correlation PAQLQ and ACT (rs: 0.48), ACT and FEV1 (rs: 0.11), PAQLQ and FEV1 (rs:-0.1). Concordance PAQLQ < 6 points and ACT < 20 points (kappa: 0.46). Concordance ACT < 20 points with FEV1 < 80 percent (kappa: -0.02), concordance PAQLQ < 6points with FEV1 < 80 percent (kappa: -0.02).Conclusions: The quality of life and asthma control have moderate correlation. FEV1 weakly correlation with ACT and negative correlation with PAQLQ. The best cut-off point to identify uncontrolled asthma was obtained with ACT < 20 points and PAQLQ Juniper < 6 points. FEV1 <80 percent do not have good agreement with ACT and PAQLQ to detect uncontrolled asthma.