[The comparison of Japanese pediatric asthma control test (JPAC) with the childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) based on respiratory function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FEno)].

Background And Object: Two major convenient questionnaires of asthma control in childhood, Japanese Pediatric Asthma Control Program (JPAC) and Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) have been available in Japan. The aim of this study is comparison of utilities of these questionnaires by means of respiratory function and fractional nitric oxide (FENO).

Subject And Methods: The 154 samples from patients with asthma and their parents answered to two questionnaires at regular visits. At the same time, respiratory function and FENO were measured. The patients were divided into two groups according to the control levels defined by JPAC and C-ACT. The correlation of each total scores and respiratory function and FENO were examined.

Results: The total scores of JPAC and C-ACT strongly correlated each other. Among 3 groups in JPAC the score of JPAC weakly correlated with %FEV1, FEV1/FVC and %MMF. In contrast there was no correlation between 2 groups C-ACT. FEV1/FVC and %MMF were significantly different among the groups identified by the JPAC, but not among those by the C-ACT. Neither of the total scores of JPAC nor C-ACT correlated with FENO.

Conclusion: JPAC and C-ACT may partially reflect the respiratory function, with preference to JPAC. In contrast, these questionnaires did not reflect FENO. Thus, physician should use these questionnaires with consideration of these points.