Abstract
Introduction:
Assessment by the general practitioner of the presence, the severity or even the changes in time of BHR by a questionnaire would be an advantage in diagnosing and monitoring patients with asthma.
Aims and objectives:
The aim of the study is to select a reliable set of respiratory symptoms and stimuli for the preliminary version of the Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness Questionnaire (BHQ). Subjects and method: A preliminary list of 33 symptoms and 64 stimuli was composed by review of literature, in depth interviews and focus group discussions with asthma patients. After a histamine challenge test patients (n= 302) were asked to score each item on a 7-point Likert scale (0 = no; 6=severe complaints). The questionnaires of patients with a positive challenge test (n = 225) were selected for factor and ROC analysis. A Spearman's rank correlation test was performed to investigate the relation between the PC20-histamine and the scores on the questions in the group of patients with doctors diagnosed asthma (n= 181). An expert panel was asked to define criteria for the selection of suitable questions for the BHQ. Selection criteria were: a significant correlation coefficient of =0.20 and/or a significant positive ROC-analysis.
Results:
34 symptoms and stimuli showing a relation with the PC20 were selected for the BHQ. Conclusion/discussion: The symptoms and stimuli correlating best with the PC20 may give an indication of the severity of BHR whereas symptoms and stimuli with significantly ROC-scores are probably sensitive for detecting the presence of BHR. To support this hypothesis further (validation) studies are necessary.
Conflict of interest and funding
Supported by an unrestricted grant from AstraZeneca BV, The Netherlands.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Riemersma, R., Postma, D., Kerstjens, H. et al. ABS22: Development of a questionnaire for the assessment of bronchial hyperresponsiveness: the BHQ. Prim Care Respir J 15, 191 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrj.2006.04.124
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrj.2006.04.124