Abstract
Background:
Recent epidemiological surveys show that approximately 20 % of the general population suffer from airway disease. Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) are often prescribed for these diseases. It is commonly thought that side effects of ICS are very limited and appear rarely. Effectiveness studies show 3-9% self reported side effects. These side effects have never been measured by a specifically developed instrument. To our knowledge, such an instrument has never been developed.
In a qualitative pilot study by M. van der Meyden (student RUG) and T. van der Molen, 24 patient reported 56 possible side effects of ICS.
More than 50 % of all patients reported at least one side effect. On the basis of this qualitative study we intend to develop an ICS specific questionnaire which measures these side effects quantitatively.
Aim:
The primary objective of this study is to create an ICS Specific questionnaire that can measure the effects of ICS quantitatively.
Primarily it will be a discriminative instrument for the use in clinical trials. The questionnaire will be suitable for self-administration.
Methods:
Initially a qualitative study, using interviews and focus groups, was undertaken in order to obtain possible side-effects items. This study by M. van der Meyden and T van der Molen resulted in a list of 57 possible side effects of ICS. A collection of all these ICS-specific items has been used in an item reduction questionnaire, containing all 56 questions. This item- reduction questionnaire has been presented to 200 patients treated with ICS and to 84 persons using a non-ICS inhaler. Patients have been recruited from pharmacies in the surroundings of Groningen. Patients have been asked to complete the item-reduction questionnaire that also contains a number of questions about their age, disease and medication use.
The completed questionnaires will be analysed and on the base of this analysis the final questionnaire will be formatted.
Results:
At the moment we have 200 responders. Results are looking promising, but definite results will follow.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van der Werf, H., Foster, J., van der Meijden, M. et al. Development of the Inhaled Corticosteroids related Health Status Instrument (ICHSI). Prim Care Respir J 11, 75 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.76
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.76