Diagnosing pediatric asthma: Validating the Easy Breathing Survey

Objective: To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of a simple, self-administered questionnaire for the diagnosis of asthma in children. Study design: A questionnaire specifically designed to assist primary care providers in making a diagnosis of asthma in children was developed and adm inistered in 4 different primary care and subspecialty clinics, validated, and then used as part of an asthma management program called Easy Breathing . Asthma diagnoses were made according to recommended National Asthma Exper t Panel Guidelines. Results: Four questions on the survey were shown to be sensitive and specif ic for asthma. The sensitivity was greater for all levels (mild, moderate, and severe) of persistent asthma than for mild, intermittent asthma. A posi tive response to any 1 of the 4 questions was over 94% sensitive for asthma ; a negative response to all 4 questions was 55% specific for ruling out as thma. Conclusions: Patient responses to 4 specific respiratory symptom questions can assist primary care providers in diagnosing asthma in children. Primary care providers serving pediatric populations at high risk for asthma shoul d consider asking patients or their parents these 4 questions regarding ast hma symptoms on a regular basis.