RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Childhood asthma: can computers aid detection in general practice? JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 112 OP 116 VO 51 IS 463 A1 S Kable A1 R Henry A1 R Sanson-Fisher A1 M Ireland A1 R Corkrey A1 J Cockburn YR 2001 UL http://bjgp.org/content/51/463/112.abstract AB BACKGROUND: Childhood asthma remains underdiagnosed in general practice. Computers with a patient interface have the potential to screen children for asthma in a time-efficient manner. AIM: To develop a concise, validated self-report measure that calculates an 'asthma score' that predicts likelihood of asthma and its severity in childhood. DESIGN OF STUDY: Computerised questionnaire survey in general practitioners' (GPs') waiting rooms, followed by a written questionnaire and either bronchial challenge or skin allergy testing at the regional teaching hospital. SETTING: Children between 18 months and 18 years old accompanied by a parent or guardian in five group practices in Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. METHOD: The responses from both the computerised questionnaire and the written questionnaire were compared with physician assessment of asthma, based on an existing validated questionnaire and clinical tests. RESULTS: Six items were identified to be independently and significantly associated (at P < 0.05) with the presence of asthma and its severity: parent or self-reported asthma, previous diagnosis, wheeze in the past year, physical activity affected by symptoms, night cough in the past year, and visits to a GP in the past year. From the regression model a linear score was derived that indicates whether a child is likely to have asthma and its likely severity. CONCLUSIONS: The asthma score is a valid indicator of asthma and its severity in children in general practice.