Development of a questionnaire weighted scoring system to target diagnostic examinations for asthma in adults: a modelling study

摘要: Background: Identification and treatment of unrecognised asthmatics in the community is important for improving health individual minimising cost quality life burden. It not practical to offer clinical diagnostic assessment whole communities, a simple tool such as questionnaire required identify smaller target group. Conventional screening methods which separate individuals into positive negative categories have resulted large numbers requiring assessment. This study has therefore developed tested weighted scoring system that prioritises those most urgently need, based on their responses. Methods: A stratified random sample adult respondents general practice postal survey were categorised 'asthmatic' or 'non-asthmatic' according three expert physicians' opinions. Based this categorisation, logistic regression was used derive weights reflecting relative importance each question predicting asthma, allowing calculation scores likelihood asthma. Respondents higher than chosen threshold would be offered examination. Results: Age presence wheeze influential (weight 3) overall ranged from -1 13. Positive predictive values (PPV) estimated. For example, setting score at nine gave an estimated PPV asthma diagnosis 93.5%, seven corresponded 78.8%. estimates supported by examining 145 new survey. Conclusion: Weighted responses provides method evaluating priority level 'at glance', resource wastage false positives.