Abstract
BackgroundPatient-reported interstitial lung disease (ILD) questionnaires are commonly used for the evaluation of ILD patients. However, research to test their performance is scarce.MethodsThis study aimed to assess the performance of the Chest Questionnaire in consecutive ILD patients presenting to a tertiary ILD center. The results of Chest Questionnaires routinely filled by patients were analyzed together with clinical and demographic data retrieved from the patients’ medical records. The ability of each questionnaire item to detect positive findings, such as environmental and occupational exposures, was examined relative to any additional findings detected by physician-acquired history. History was obtained by an experienced ILD pulmonologist who had access to the results of the questionnaire during the clinic visit.ResultsThe final cohort for analysis included 62 patients. Shortness of breath frequency and duration were the questionnaire items with the lowest probability of being filled out by patients. The questionnaire performed well in identifying 96.2% of patients with a positive family history and 90.9% of patients with occupational exposures. However, exposures to mold or birds were frequently missed, self-reported by only 53.1% of exposed patients. Questionnaire’s performance was also lower for other exposures associated with ILD (48.3%). An ILD-related exposure was less likely to be identified by the questionnaire in males (p = 0.03), while age had no such effect.ConclusionsThe Chest Questionnaire performed well in several domains, while failing to detect some relevant exposures. Therefore, its use should be accompanied by careful history taking by the physician.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.