%0 Journal Article
%T Validation of the ISAAC Standardized Questionnaire Used by Schoolchildren from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
%A Karla Gorozave-Car
%A Albino Barraza-Villarreal
%A Consuelo Escamilla-N¨²£¿ez
%A Leticia Hernandez-Cadena
%A Luz Helena San¨ªn-Aguirre
%A Marlene Cortez-Lugo
%A J. Blanco-Mu£¿oz
%A Horacio Riojas-Rodr¨ªguez
%A Hortensia Moreno-Macias
%A Isabelle Romieu
%J Epidemiology Research International
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/490906
%X Background. In Mexico, several studies have been conducted under the ISAAC methodology; nevertheless, no validation studies of the ISAAC questionnaire based on objective clinical testing in our country have been published. Aims of the Study. To validate the ISAAC questionnaire, used in a study of prevalence of allergic diseases, based on medical, respiratory, and allergic evaluations of schoolchildren being 11 to 16 years old in Mexicali, Mexico. Material and Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study to validate the ISAAC questionnaire through the generation of an index (considered as gold standard) using pre- and postbronchodilator spirometry test, exhaled nitric oxide measurements, and atopic evaluations. 114 schoolchildren were included (23 asthmatics with respiratory symptoms and 91 nonasthmatics without respiratory symptoms) and we evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of the questionnaire using discriminant analysis. Results. We observed sensitivity of 35.2% and specificity of 93.3% and the positive and negative predictive values were 82.6% and 61.5%, respectively. Conclusions. Our findings indicate that the ISAAC Mexican version questionnaire was less sensitive and more specific when compared to the gold standard; however, it is adequate and able to discriminate children with and without asthma and a useful tool to use in epidemiological studies. 1. Introduction Asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis are three of the allergic diseases that most affect children worldwide [1¨C3]. Asthma is a multifactor disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways and a reversible obstruction of air flow. Concern about these diseases has arisen because of their increase over the years, with prevalence and mortality rates having increased worldwide [4]. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) methodology was established in 1990s [4]. This methodology is a useful and practical strategy to most effectively identify these types of affections in children. It has been used in many countries where different languages are spoken, as well as in countries where the language does not have a way to describe asthma symptoms. The ISAAC is designed with three phases. Phase I is designed to assess the basic prevalence and severity of asthma and other allergic diseases by administering target questionnaires. Phase II investigates possible risk factors related to these diseases and those suggested in phase I. Phase III repeats phase I to assess the prevalence tendency of these
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/eri/2013/490906/