[Relation of the time course of Japanese Pediatric Asthma Control Test (JPAC) and Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) score with respiratory function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECT

Two major convenient questionnaires of asthma control in childhood, Japanese Pediatric Asthma Control Program (JPAC) and Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) have been available in Japan. The aim of this study is to evaluate relationship of two questionnaires in terms of the changes of respiratory function and fractional nitric oxide (FENO) in each individual.

SUBJECT AND METHODS

The 102 samples from patients with asthma aged 6 to 11 years old and their parents' answers for the two questionnaires at regular visits were collected. At the same time, respiratory functions and FENO were measured. The correlations of each difference of scores (+/-JPAC or +/-C-ACT), correlations of +/-JPAC or +/-C-ACT and increased ratio of respiratory functions and FENO (DeltaFENO%) were examined. We analyzed the factors that influences on respiratory functions and FENO. Moreover, the correlations of increased ratio of respiratory functions and DeltaFENO% were examined.

RESULTS

Changes of JPAC and C-ACT correlated with each other. (rho=0.725, p<0.0001) DeltaFENO% was influenced by medications, especially ICS. +/-JPAC weakly correlated with DeltaFEV1% and DeltaFEF25-75% and DeltaPEF%, so did C-ACT. +/-JPAC correlated most strongly with the change of DeltaFEF25-75% among the parameters of respiratory functions. (rho=0.357, p=0.0003)+/-JPAC, but not +/-C-ACT weakly correlated with DeltaFENO%. (rho=-0.2045, p=0.0401)

CONCLUSION

JPAC and C-ACT reflect the change of the respiratory function of each patient rather than those at random visit. Furthermore, JPAC may reflect FENO. In conclusion, recognition of the changes of the scores of these questionnaires may increase the utilities of the same scores obtained at a single visit. It is needed further study how to use FENO added on these questionnaires.