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Related Experiment Videos

Feasibility of school-based spirometry screening for asthma.

Jill M Abramson¹, Peter Wollan, Marge Kurland

¹Dept. of Research, Olmsted Medical Center, 210 Ninth St., SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA. Jabramson@olmmed.org

The Journal of School Health

|May 6, 2003

Summary

School-based spirometry for asthma screening is feasible but shows poor overlap with questionnaire results. Further research is needed before recommending spirometry for school asthma detection.

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Area of Science:

Pediatric Pulmonology
Public Health Screening

Background:

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
Effective screening methods are crucial for early diagnosis and management in school settings.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the feasibility and value of spirometry in school-based asthma screening.
To compare spirometry findings with parent-reported symptoms for asthma referral.

Main Methods:

Spirometry testing was conducted on students in grades 5-8.
Tests were evaluated for technical acceptability and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) < 85% predicted.
Results were compared with parent questionnaire data for asthma symptoms.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

Spirometry screening was technically feasible in schools.

Only 11% of children identified by spirometry also met referral criteria based on questionnaires.

Significant discordance exists between spirometry and questionnaire-based asthma referrals.

Conclusions:

School-based spirometry is feasible but lacks strong correlation with symptom-based screening.
Current data do not support the recommendation of spirometry alone for school asthma screening.
Further studies are required to determine the role of spirometry in pediatric asthma detection programs.