Korean Version of Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK): Reliability and Validity

RATIONALE: For children under age <5 years, we have recently translated the Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK) instrument into Korean, with subsequent linguistic validation. We aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of TRACK questionnaire.

METHODS: We administered the translated TRACK questionnaires to caregivers of preschool children with symptoms consistent with asthma at 2 separate visits 4-6 weeks apart. Each physician graded the level of the guideline-based asthma control, assessed the timing of symptoms, and determined the therapeutic level at each visit. After assessing the reliability, TRACK scores and their changes were analized according to subjects clinical conditions.

RESULTS: A total of 109 subjects were enrolled. Cronbach alpha was 0.71. Changes in TRACK scores differed in subsets of children whose level of control improved, unchanged, or worsened (median [interquartile range], 15.0 [7.5;25.0] vs 0.0 [-5.0;10.0] vs -10.0 [-22.5;-7.5], P<0.001). TRACK scores differed significantly across patient subsets, with lower scores in children classified as poorly controlled than not-well controlled or well controlled (median [interquartile range], 55.0 [42.5;70.0] vs 70.0 [60.0;85.0] vs 90.0 [77.5;95.0], P<0.001), in those who had current asthma symptoms than recent-past symptoms or no symptom (median [interquartile range], 65.0 [50.0;80.0] vs 80.0 [65.0;90.0] vs 95.0 [80.0;100.0], P<0.001), and in those required step-up therapy than step-down therapy or no change (median [interquartile range], 62.5 [45.0;75.0] vs 95.0 [85.0;100.0] vs 80.0 [67.5;90.0], P<0.001)

CONCLUSIONS: Korean version of TRACK questionnaire is valid and reliable in assessing respiratory and asthma control in Korean preschool children with asthma symptoms.