Background High atopy prevalence has been reported in athletes. Having an age-specific questionnaire for predicting atopy is important for an optimal management of young athletes. The study objectives were: i) developing a scoring system for the Pediatric Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes (AQUAped); ii) identifying the optimal age target within the range 7-14 years; iii) assessing AQUAped validity and repeatability in the identified target population. Methods A total of 133 young athletes (age 7-14 years) were recruited. Following a screening visit, the participants filled AQUAped at baseline (T0) and after 7 days (T1), concomitantly undergoing skin prick testing. Using atopy as the gold standard (positivity to >=1 aeroallergen), the 12 core items were scored based on their likelihood ratios, and a total score was calculated. The optimal cut-off was identified based on the Youden's criterion. The repeatability of AQUAped was assessed through the intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC). The optimal age target was identified as the largest age range associated with an acceptable cross-validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC>=0.70) and an excellent ICC (>=0.75). Results Forty (30%) children were atopic; the optimal age target was 10-14 years (cross-validated AUC=0.70, ICC=0.81). AQUAped total score ranged from -26 to 75, and only 5% of non atopic children had AQUAped>=24. AQUAped>=2 had 82% specificity, 60% sensitivity, and 74% overall accuracy. Conclusion Developing and testing a scoring system for AQUAped showed that it is a valid and reliable tool for the screening of atopy in young athletes aged 10 to 14 years.
Validity and repeatability of the Pediatric Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes (AQUAped) for the screening of atopy
Salvatore Fasola;Velia Malizia;Stefania La Grutta
2020
Abstract
Background High atopy prevalence has been reported in athletes. Having an age-specific questionnaire for predicting atopy is important for an optimal management of young athletes. The study objectives were: i) developing a scoring system for the Pediatric Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes (AQUAped); ii) identifying the optimal age target within the range 7-14 years; iii) assessing AQUAped validity and repeatability in the identified target population. Methods A total of 133 young athletes (age 7-14 years) were recruited. Following a screening visit, the participants filled AQUAped at baseline (T0) and after 7 days (T1), concomitantly undergoing skin prick testing. Using atopy as the gold standard (positivity to >=1 aeroallergen), the 12 core items were scored based on their likelihood ratios, and a total score was calculated. The optimal cut-off was identified based on the Youden's criterion. The repeatability of AQUAped was assessed through the intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC). The optimal age target was identified as the largest age range associated with an acceptable cross-validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC>=0.70) and an excellent ICC (>=0.75). Results Forty (30%) children were atopic; the optimal age target was 10-14 years (cross-validated AUC=0.70, ICC=0.81). AQUAped total score ranged from -26 to 75, and only 5% of non atopic children had AQUAped>=24. AQUAped>=2 had 82% specificity, 60% sensitivity, and 74% overall accuracy. Conclusion Developing and testing a scoring system for AQUAped showed that it is a valid and reliable tool for the screening of atopy in young athletes aged 10 to 14 years.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.