Accuracy of parental and child’s reports of changes in symptoms of childhood asthma

Abstract

This cohort study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of parental and child’s reports of changes in asthma symptoms. Fifty three asthmatic children and their parents were interviewed at enrollment and after 4 and 8 weeks. The outcomes were parental and child’s reports of changes in asthma symptoms, changes in mean daily symptom scores and changes in pulmonary function. Among patients 6 to 10 years old, parental reports were more strongly than child’s reports to correlate with changes in mean daily symptom scores (r: 0.54 vs 0.23). In patients aged 11 yr or older, parental and child’s reports were equally correlated with changes in mean daily symptom scores (r: 0.63 vs 0.57). In both age groups, neither parental nor child’s reports were significantly correlated with changes in pulmonary function. Conclusion: Parental reports of changes in asthma symptoms are more reliable than child’s reports in patients under 11 yr. Among patients aged 11 yr or older, child’s reports are so valid as their parent’s reports for clinical judgment of asthma control.