Is a modified Global Trigger Tool method using automatic trigger identification valid when measuring adverse events?

Objectives: To evaluate a modified Global Trigger Tool (GTT) method with manual review of automatic triggered records to measure adverse events.

Design: A cross-sectional study was performed using the original GTT method as gold standard compared to a modified GTT method.

Setting: Medium size hospital trust in Northern Norway.

Lower respiratory tract infections appear to be the most important risk factor for current asthma in subarctic schoolchildren.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify possible risk factors for current asthma revealed by two studies in Northern Norway in 1985 and 2008 and to evaluate these factors contributing to the increased prevalence of asthma over these 23 years.

Methods: As part of the 'Asthma and allergy study among schoolchildren in Nordland county' we performed a case-control study (70.0% attendance) comparing 153 children with current asthma (cases) to their non-asthmatic controls.

Is inter-rater reliability of Global Trigger Tool results altered when members of the review team are replaced?

Objective: To evaluate the inter-rater reliability of results from Global Trigger Tool (GTT) reviews when one of the three reviewers remains consistent, while one or two reviewers rotate.

Design: Comparison of results from retrospective record review performed as a cross-sectional study with three review teams each consisting of two non-physicians and one physician; Team I (three consistent reviewers), Team II (one of the two non-physician reviewers or/and the physician from Team I are replaced for different review periods) and Team III (three consistent reviewers different from reviewers in Team I and Team II).

Setting: Medium-sized hospital trust in Northern Norway.

Does increasing the size of bi-weekly samples of records influence results when using the Global Trigger Tool? An observational study of retrospective record reviews of two different sample sizes.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of increasing sample of records reviewed bi-weekly with the Global Trigger Tool method to identify adverse events in hospitalised patients.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: A Norwegian 524-bed general hospital trust.

The effect of exercise on exhaled nitric oxide depends on allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children.

Objective: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and exercise testing are widely used for the evaluation of pediatric asthma. The evidence relating to the effects of strenuous exercise on FENO in children is conflicting. Little information is available on the association between exercise and FENO in relation to allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR).

Validation of a questionnaire against clinical assessment in the diagnosis of asthma in school children.

Aim: A questionnaire has been used repeatedly in cross-sectional studies to determine the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) and eczema among schoolchildren in Nordland County, Norway. The current study was designed to validate the questionnaire against clinical assessment as the diagnostic gold standard and to investigate the extent of possible misclassification.

Methods: A subsample of 801 schoolchildren of 4150, whose parents had answered a questionnaire covering asthma and atopic diseases, underwent a detailed clinical evaluation including a standardized interview, a clinical examination, skin prick tests (SPT), blood samples, spirometry an exercise treadmill test (EIB test) and measurement of exhaled nitrogen oxide (FeNO).

Establishing IMMULITE® 2000 cut-off values for serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin and exploring their relationship to exhaled nitric oxide.

Aim: Paediatric cut-off values for serum allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) using the Siemens IMMULITE(®) 2000 system to diagnose allergic rhinoconjunctivitis have not been established. We aimed to determine cut-off levels for sIgE for 10 common inhalant allergens and to study the relationship between sIgE, total IgE and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO ).

Methods: We enrolled 243 schoolchildren, including 164 with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Increasing prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema among schoolchildren: three surveys during the period 1985-2008.

Aim: The prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) and eczema among children has increased worldwide in the last four decades, but recent studies disagree as to whether the prevalence is continuing to rise or is levelling off or declining. The aim of this study was to assess time trends in a subarctic population.

Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out in 2008 among children aged 7-14 years in randomly selected schools in Nordland County, Norway (n = 4150).

Exhaled nitric oxide decreases during exercise in non-asthmatic children.

Introduction: Exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements are recommended to be performed before spirometry and exercise challenge tests because forced breathing might influence FENO values. Information on the effect of exercise on FENO is lacking in non-asthmatic children.

Aim:   To investigate the effect on FENO of a standardized exercise challenge test on a treadmill in non-asthmatic children with and without allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) symptoms.