Relationship between Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (EIB) and Asthma Control Test (ACT) in Asthmatic Children

Abstract

Objective. Evaluate the relationship between Asthma Control Test™ (ACT) and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in 81 asthmatic children. Methods. EIB was assessed in every patient by Balke protocol and asthma control was evaluated by ACT. Patients were divided into three groups: Group A (30 patients) with complete asthma control (ACT score = 25), Group B (37 patients) with partial asthma control (ACT score = 21–24), and Group C (14 patients) with poor asthma control (ACT score < 20). Results. About 36% (11/30) of patients in Group A (with complete asthma control) tested positive for EIB, whereas 21% (8/37) in Group B (with partial asthma control) and 28% (4/14) in Group C (with poor asthma control) exhibited EIB. The percentage of positive EIB was very similar between the three groups with no differences between controlled, partially controlled, and uncontrolled asthma. Statistical evaluation by χ2-test between complete (ACT score = 25) and not complete asthma control (ACT score < 24) confirmed a statistically significant difference (p < .01) between the obtained data. Conclusions. It must be stated that ACT alone is not sufficient to evaluate asthma control in children correctly because it fails to detect EIB in a significant percentage of subjects.