Screening a state middle school for asthma using the free running asthma screening test

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Respiratory Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
• Early detection and management of asthma are crucial for improving health outcomes.
• School environments provide opportunities for large-scale health screenings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of using the free running asthma screening test (FRAST) in a school setting.
• To identify children with undiagnosed asthma.
• To monitor the asthma control in children with known diagnoses.

Main Methods:

• The FRAST was administered to 237 children aged 8-12 years during a physical education lesson.
• Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured before and after exercise.
• Children with a significant PEFR decrease (>15%) were further assessed.
• Clinical assessments were performed for children with significant PEFR changes and a control group.

Main Results:

• Out of 237 children tested, 19 new cases of asthma were identified, resulting in an overall prevalence of 16%.
• Thirty-one children showed a significant decrease in PEFR post-exercise; six had known asthma suggesting suboptimal treatment.
• Six children had false positive results upon clinical assessment.

Conclusions:

• The FRAST is a feasible and effective tool for school-based asthma screening.
• This screening method can identify children with undiagnosed asthma.
• It also aids in monitoring the management of asthma in diagnosed children.