[Peak flow values in assessment of global improvement rating in bronchial asthma]

The results suggest a marked correlation between Global Improvement Rating (GIR) and change from baseline in PEFRs and that increase from baseline in PEFR was practicable as an evaluation index. Best categorization was determined based on weighted agreement (kappa *) between the increase from baseline in morning and evening PEFRs or mean PEFR (in l/min). For categorization of increase from baseline, maximum agreement with the physician's global improvement rating (GIR) was achieved by categorizing the increase in PEFR into 5 categories using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). Categorization into the 5 grades of > or = 50, 50-> or = 35, 35-> or = 10, 10-> or = -5 and < -5 for morning PEFR & mean PEFR and > or = 45, 45-> or = 10, 10-> or = -10, -10-> or = -45 and < -45 for increase in evening PEFR was optimal. Improvement scores (a tentative name) were prepared by maximization of agreement rate between total of scores and GIR.