Lung function measurements in children - copsac

Methods
Designs
Study II:
Hospital records were retrieved to verify respiratory symptoms compatible with RSV
bronchiolitis (severe cough, positive X-ray of thorax, use of 2-agonist, crackles or
wheeze by auscultation of lungs) (85, 127) and verified with an enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or immunofluorescence assay test for RSV.
The twin pairs and their parents were summoned to the Danish Pediatric Asthma Center
two centers in East- and West- Denmark for clinical examination including interviews
on the child’s asthma according to the GINA guidelines (128); information about
medical history and objective assessments. The interviews and clinical examinations
were done by one physician (PP). Twenty-two pairs were examined in Copenhagen and
15 twin pairs in Aarhus.
Skin prick test was done with standard inhalation allergens: birch, mugwort, grass,
horse, dog, cat, dust mite and mould (Soluprick, SQ ALK-Abelló A/S) (129).
Study III:
The COPSAC cohort was assessed at one center (the Danish Pediatric Asthma Center,
Copenhagen).
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis was defined as an acute respiratory illness before the age of 2 years based
on symptoms of coryza progressing over a few days to cough, tachypnea, chest
retraction and wide spread crackles, wheezes or both (127) diagnosed by the COPSAC
clinical research unit doctor or admitted acutely to the local hospital for such symptoms.
RSV bronchiolitis
RSV bronchiolitis was defined as bronchiolitis with a positive ELISA test for RSV
infection within 10 days of the acute episode.
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