Validation of the German version of the Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire (AIRQ)

Abstract

Background The Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire (AIRQ), a 10-item, equally weighted, yes/no tool assessing symptom impairment and risk of exacerbations in patients with asthma aged ≥12 years, was developed and validated in a US patient population to evaluate varying levels of asthma control. This study aimed to validate the German language version of the AIRQ in patients aged ≥12 years with different levels of asthma control.

Methods A cross-sectional, observational, multi-centre study comprising a single visit was conducted in multiple specialised asthma centres and general practices in Germany. A total of 300 patients completed the following measures: 1) Patient Sociodemographic and Clinical Questionnaire, 2) AIRQ, 3) Asthma Control Test (ACT), and 4) Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-6). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the AIRQ score cut points with the greatest predictive validity in discriminating between different control levels relative to a standard of ACT plus prior-year exacerbations or ACQ-6 plus prior-year exacerbations.

Results The German version of the AIRQ demonstrated a robust capability to correctly identify well-controlled versus not well- or very poorly controlled (AUC values of 0.90 or higher) and well- or not well-controlled versus very poorly controlled asthma (AUC values of 0.89 or higher).

Conclusions The German version of the AIRQ is a suitable tool to identify adults with varying levels of asthma control, which in turn can help to accurately identify patients with uncontrolled asthma in clinical practice.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Der Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire (AIRQ), ein 10 Punkte umfassendes, gleichgewichtetes Ja/Nein-Tool zur Beurteilung der Symptombeeinträchtigung und des Risikos von Exazerbationen bei Patienten mit Asthma im Alter von ≥12 Jahren, wurde in einer US-amerikanischen Patientenpopulation entwickelt und validiert, unterschiedliche Grade der Asthmakontrolle zu bewerten. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die deutschsprachige Version des AIRQ bei Patienten im Alter von ≥12 Jahren mit unterschiedlichem Grad der Asthmakontrolle zu validieren.

Methoden Eine beobachtende, multizentrische Querschnittsstudie mit einem einzigen Besuch wurde in mehreren spezialisierten Asthmazentren und Allgemeinpraxen in Deutschland durchgeführt. Insgesamt 300 Patienten absolvierten die folgenden Maßnahmen: 1) Soziodemografischer und klinischer Patientenfragebogen, 2) AIRQ, 3) Asthmakontrolltest (ACT) und 4) Asthmakontrollfragebogen (ACQ-6). Logistische Regressionsanalysen wurden durchgeführt, um die Schnittpunkte des AIRQ-Scores mit der größten prädiktiven Validität bei der Unterscheidung zwischen verschiedenen Kontrollniveaus im Vergleich zu einem Standard aus ACT plus Exazerbationen des Vorjahres oder ACQ-6 plus Exazerbationen des Vorjahres zu ermitteln.

Ergebnisse Die deutsche Version des AIRQ zeigte eine robuste Fähigkeit, gut kontrolliertes von nicht gut oder sehr schlecht kontrolliertem Asthma (AUC-Werte von 0,90 oder höher) sowie gut oder nicht gut kontrolliertes von sehr schlecht kontrolliertem Asthma (AUC-Werte von 0,89 oder höher) korrekt zu unterscheiden.

Schlussfolgerungen Die deutsche Version des AIRQ ist ein geeignetes Instrument zur Identifizierung von Erwachsenen mit unterschiedlichem Grad der Asthmakontrolle, was wiederum dazu beitragen kann, Patienten mit unkontrolliertem Asthma in der klinischen Praxis akkurat zu identifizieren.

Keywords

AIRQ - asthma - questionnaire

Schlüsselwörter

AIRQ - Asthma - Fragebogen

Publication History

Received: 19 March 2024

Accepted after revision: 16 May 2024

Article published online:
11 July 2024

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