[Quality scale for preschool spirometry interpretation]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• International guidelines for spirometry in preschool children exist since 2007.
• A significant number of young patients cannot achieve spirometry maneuvers meeting all eligibility criteria.
• Interpreting partially acceptable spirometry in children presents a diagnostic challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel quality scale for the interpretation of partially acceptable spirometry in preschool children.
• To establish consensus among pediatric pneumologists on spirometry quality assessment criteria.
• To enhance the reliability of lung function testing in young children.

Main Methods:

• The Delphi methodology was employed to achieve expert consensus.
• Pediatric pneumologists specializing in lung function in Chile were invited to participate.
• Multiple rounds of questionnaires were used to refine criteria for spirometry acceptability and quality grading.

Main Results:

• Thirteen out of 15 invited experts participated.
• An initial proposed quality grade of "fair" was removed after expert feedback.
• A consensus was reached on a final scale using "very good," "good," and "bad" quality judgments, with end-expiration being a contentious criterion.

Conclusions:

• The developed quality scale, utilizing "very good," "good," and "bad" judgments, was agreed upon by most experts.
• This scale is expected to improve the performance and interpretation of spirometry in children aged 2 to 5 years.
• The findings contribute to more accurate respiratory assessments in early childhood.