Asthma Symptom Utility Index: Reliability, validity, responsiveness, and the minimal important difference in adult asthmatic patients

Christian Bime, Christine Y. Wei, Janet T. Holbrook, Marianna M. Sockrider, Dennis A. Revicki, Robert A. Wise

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The evaluation of asthma symptoms is a core outcome measure in asthma clinical research. The Asthma Symptom Utility Index (ASUI) was developed to assess the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms. The psychometric properties of the ASUI are not well characterized, and a minimal important difference (MID) is not established. Objectives: We assessed the reliability, validity, and responsiveness to change of the ASUI in a population of adult asthmatic patients. We also sought to determine the MID for the ASUI. Methods: Adult asthmatic patients (n = 1648) from 2 previously completed multicenter randomized trials were included. Demographic information, spirometric results, ASUI scores, and other asthma questionnaire scores were obtained at baseline and during follow-up visits. Participants also kept a daily asthma diary. Results: The internal consistency reliability of the ASUI was 0.74 (Cronbach α). Test-retest reliability was 0.76 (intraclass correlation). Construct validity was demonstrated by significant correlations between ASUI scores and Asthma Control Questionnaire scores (Spearman correlation r = -0.79; 95% CI, -0.85 to -0.75; P < .001) and Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores (r = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.51-0.61; P < .001). Responsiveness to change was demonstrated, with significant differences between mean changes in ASUI scores across groups of participants differing by 10% in percent predicted FEV 1 (P < .001) and by 0.5 points in Asthma Control Questionnaire scores (P < .001). Anchor-based and statistical methods support an MID for the ASUI of 0.09 points. Conclusions: The ASUI is reliable, valid, and responsive to changes in asthma control over time. The MID of the ASUI (range of scores, 0-1) is 0.09.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1078-1084
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume130
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Asthma Symptom Utility Index
  • minimal important difference
  • reliability
  • responsiveness
  • validity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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