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Relationship between exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) and asthma control test (ACT) in asthmatic children
Daniele Rapino1, Nicola Pietro Consilvio, Nicola Pietroconsilvio
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy. dr.daniele.r@hotmail.it
Summary
The Asthma Control Test™ (ACT) may not fully assess asthma control in children, as it failed to detect exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in a significant number of participants across all control groups.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
- Clinical Asthma Research
Background:
- Asthma control is crucial for children's quality of life.
- Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is a common asthma symptom.
- The Asthma Control Test™ (ACT) is widely used to assess asthma control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between ACT scores and the presence of EIB in children with asthma.
- To determine if ACT accurately reflects asthma control concerning EIB.
Main Methods:
- 81 children with asthma were assessed.
- EIB was evaluated using the Balke protocol.
- Asthma control was measured using the ACT, categorizing patients into complete, partial, and poor control groups.
Main Results:
- A similar percentage of children tested positive for EIB across all ACT-defined control groups (complete, partial, poor).
- Specifically, 36% in the complete control group, 21% in partial, and 28% in poor control exhibited EIB.
- Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between complete and incomplete asthma control (p < .01).
Conclusions:
- The ACT alone is insufficient for accurately evaluating asthma control in children.
- The ACT may underestimate the prevalence of EIB in pediatric asthma patients.
- Further assessment beyond ACT is necessary to fully understand asthma control in children.
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