Abstract
There is no simple and common method for evaluating the respiratory status of children with acute asthma. Therefore, we developed a new clinical scoring system to estimate dyspnea. The respiration rate scored 2 points for ≥60/min, 1 point for 59-30/min, and 0 points for <30/min; the expiratory/inspiratory ratio scored 2 points for ≥2, 1 point for 2-1.5, 0 points for <1.5; and retraction scored 2 points for “very severe”, 1 point for “severe”, and 0 points for “little or none”. The total score was called the dyspnea score, and was compared with SpO2 and the severity of asthma based on the influence on daily activities. A dyspnea score of 0-1 points corresponded to a mild attack, 2-3 points to a moderate attack, and 4-6 points to a severe attack. The dyspnea score was inversely correlated with SpO2 (r=-0.5, p=0.02). By calculating the dyspnea score while asthmatic children were in hospital, it became easier to evaluate the respiratory status and to communicate with co-medical staff. Introduction of a dyspnea score like this may be useful when we compare the severity of asthma between patients at different hospitals.
