Pediatric Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire for the Brazilian population: Cross-cultural adaptation and measurement properties.

OBJECTIVE: To cross-culturally adapt the Pediatric Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (ATAQ) into Brazilian Portuguese and analyze its measurement properties. METHODS: This exploratory methodological study included eight experts and 30 caregivers in the translation and cross-cultural adaptation steps. Thereafter, 118 caregivers of pediatric patients with asthma aged between 5 and 17 years were involved in the analysis of measurement properties. We analyzed the content, structural (exploratory and confirmatory factorial), construct (convergent and discriminant), and known-groups validities; floor and ceiling effects; and determined the cut-off point (receiver operator characteristic curve) to identify pediatric patients with uncontrolled asthma. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyzed test-retest reliability with 54 caregivers, whereas Cronbach's α and composite reliability verified the internal consistency of the items. RESULTS: The committee of experts and caregivers found the instructions and response options relevant, understandable, and clear (K > 0.75). During the cross-cultural adaptation, three items (2, 4, and 12) were slightly modified by including terms to facilitate understanding. A two-factor structure (asthma control and patient-provider communication) was identified. Internal consistency (α > .67; composite reliability > 0.73) and test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.80) were acceptable. For construct and know-groups validities, 85.71% of the hypothesis were confirmed. A cut-off point of >3 for the control domain was considered adequate to identify pediatric patients with uncontrolled asthma (sensitivity: 86.21%; specificity: 80.90%). CONCLUSION: The Pediatric ATAQ was adequately adapted for Brazilian pediatric patients with asthma and produced valid and reliable measures for assessing asthma control. Therefore, it may be considered an adequate instrument for monitoring asthma control in the Brazilian pediatric population.

Barriers to and facilitators of populational adherence to prevention and control measures of COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases: a qualitative evidence synthesis.

AIMS: To summarise the evidence on barriers to and facilitators of population adherence to prevention and control measures for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other respiratory infectious diseases. METHODS: A qualitative synthesis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care: Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. We performed an electronic search on MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO from their inception to March 2023. RESULTS: We included 71 studies regarding COVID-19, pneumonia, tuberculosis, influenza, pertussis and H1N1, representing 5966 participants. The measures reported were vaccinations, physical distancing, stay-at-home policy, quarantine, self-isolation, facemasks, hand hygiene, contact investigation, lockdown, infection prevention and control guidelines, and treatment. Tuberculosis-related measures were access to care, diagnosis and treatment completion. Analysis of the included studies yielded 37 barriers and 23 facilitators. CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that financial and social support, assertive communication, trust in political authorities and greater regulation of social media enhance adherence to prevention and control measures for COVID-19 and infectious respiratory diseases. Designing and implementing effective educational public health interventions targeting the findings of barriers and facilitators highlighted in this review are key to reducing the impact of infectious respiratory diseases at the population level.

Effects of home healthcare for adults with chronic respiratory diseases and post-COVID-19 syndrome on hospital bed turnover rate: a protocol of systematic review with meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) have a high prevalence, morbidity and mortality worldwide. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of patients readmitted after hospital discharge increased. For some populations, early hospital discharge and home healthcare may reduce health costs in patients treated at home when compared with those hospitalised. This study aims to systematically review the effectiveness of home healthcare for patients with CRDs and post-COVID-19 syndrome. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search on MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase and PsycINFO. We will include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCT studies reported in full text and abstracts. No language restriction will be applied. We will include studies related to adults with a diagnosis of CRDs or post-COVID-19 syndrome that compared in-patient hospital care with any home healthcare. We will exclude studies with participants with neurological, mental diseases, cancer or pregnant women. Two review authors will screen abstracts and select the eligible studies. To investigate the risk of bias, we will use the Cochrane 'Risk of Bias' tool for RCT, and the Risk of Bias In Non-randomised Studies-of Interventions for non-RCT. We will use the five Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) considerations to assess the quality of the evidence. Patients and the public will be involved in the preparation, execution and implementation phases of the review. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval is required because only published data will be analysed. The publication of the results in peer-reviewed journals and at relevant conferences will guide the direction of future research in the field and healthcare practice. The results will also be disseminated in plain language on social media to disseminate the knowledge to society and the public interested in the topic.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Brazilian version of the Cystic Fibrosis Knowledge Scale (CFKS).

BACKGROUND: Information on the level of knowledge about cystic fibrosis (CF) among affected people and their families is still scarce. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt and analyze the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of Cystic Fibrosis Knowledge Scale (CFKS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation involved the stages of translation, synthesis of translations, reverse translation, synthesis of reverse translations, review by a multi-professional committee of experts and pre-testing. The reliability, viability, construct, predictive, concurrent and discriminant validity were investigated. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 40 individuals with cystic CF, 47 individuals with asthma, 242 healthcare workers and 81 students from the health area. The Brazilian version of the CFKS presented high internal consistency (α = 0.91), moderate floor and ceiling effects, without differences in the test-retest scores. An analysis of factorial exploration identified three dimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis led to an acceptable data-model fit. There was good predictive validity, with a difference in the scores among all the evaluated groups (p <0.001), as well as good discriminant validity since individuals with asthma had greater knowledge of asthma compared to CF (r = 0.401, p = 0.005; r2 = 0.162). However, there was no difference between the diagnosis time and knowledge about CF (r = -0.25, p = 0.11; r2 = 0.06), either between treatment adherence and knowledge about CF (r = -0.04, p = 0.77; r2 = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the CFKS indicated that the scale is able to provide valid, reliable and reproducible measures for evaluating the knowledge about CF.

Buteyko method for people with asthma: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Buteyko method is recommended as a non-pharmacological treatment for people with asthma. Although the worldwide interest in the Buteyko method, there is a paucity of studies gathering evidence to support its use. Therefore, we aim to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of the Buteyko method in children and adults with asthma. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search on Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for studies focusing on the Buteyko method for children and adults with asthma. The searches will be carried out in September 2021 from database's inception to the present. We will include randomised controlled trials comparing Buteyko method alone with asthma education or inactive control intervention. There will be no restriction on language. Primary outcomes include quality of life, asthma symptoms and adverse events/side effects. Two review authors will independently screen the studies for inclusion and extract data. We will assess the quality of the included studies using the 'Risk of Bias' tool. The certainty of the evidence will be assessed using the GRADE approach. Data synthesis will be conducted using Review Manager software. Reporting of the review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidance and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study will assess and provide evidence for the use of the Buteyko method in people with asthma. We will analyse secondary data and this does not require ethics approval. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, at relevant conferences and will be shared in plain language in social media. Moreover, the findings of this review could guide the direction of healthcare practice and research. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020193132.

Relationship between anxiety symptoms, clinical control and quality of life of children with asthma: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between anxiety symptoms and factors related to clinical control and quality of life of children with asthma aged 7-12 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study involving children recruited from a reference center for asthma treatment in the city of Natal-RN. Diagnosis, control and severity were performed following GINA recommendations (2019). Sociodemographic information and spirometry results from a bronchodilator test were collected. Modified Fisher's scale, clinical control questionnaires (c-ACT and ACT), quality of life assessment (PAQLQ) (total score and domains) and anxiety symptoms assessment (SCAS) (total score and domains) were applied. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 42 children with asthma. Symptoms of social phobia (as identified by SCAS), and household head education were related to clinical asthma control (p = .006; R 2 = .19). Total SCAS score, guardian's education and physical activity were related to total PAQLQ (p < .0001; R 2 = .33). SCAS was related to the activity limitation domain of PAQLQ (p = .004; R 2 = .17). SCAS, gender, and physical activity were related to the PAQLQ symptoms domain (p = .003; R 2 = .32). The guardian's education, physical activity practice, and the symptoms of separation anxiety, panic attack and agoraphobia (as identified by SCAS) were related to the emotional domain of PAQLQ (p = .004; R 2 = .45). CONCLUSION: The present study shows evidence of an association between anxiety symptoms, poorer clinical control, and health-related quality of life in children with asthma.

Barriers and facilitators to populational adherence to prevention and control measures of COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases: a rapid qualitative evidence synthesis protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The current COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for populational adherence to measures for the prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases. However, their effectiveness depends on the population's preventive behaviour, which may be divergent from public policies. Therefore, this study aims to summarise and evaluate the evidence on barriers and facilitators to populational adherence to prevention and control measures in COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search on MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO for studies focusing on adults receiving protective behaviour recommendations to combat COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. The searches will be carried out from database's inception to the present. We will include studies that use qualitative methods in their data collection and analysis and studies that use mixed methods if they include any qualitative methods of analysis. Studies published in English, Portuguese and Spanish will be included. Two review authors will independently screen the studies for inclusion and extract data. We will assess the quality of the included studies using the Critical Skills Appraisal Programme tool. For the assessment of the confidence in the synthesised findings, we will use the GRADE-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research. Data analysis will be conducted using the best-fit framework approach based on adapted dimensions from the Health Belief Model and the Behaviour Change Wheel. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study will be conducted on published evidence, and thus, no ethical approval is required. The findings of this rapid qualitative evidence synthesis will be disseminated to academic audiences, health policy-makers and the general population. We will publish the results in peer-reviewed journals, present our findings in conferences, and disseminate results via social media. We also aim to present the research findings in plain language and disseminate the knowledge to the general population to increase public interest. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020205750.

Psychometric evaluation of the Brazilian version of the pediatric asthma control and communication instrument.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of questionnaires capable of evaluating the clinical control of Brazilian children and adolescents with asthma over a wide age range. The Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument (PACCI) has been validated, but only with English- and Spanish-speaking children in the United States. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the PACCI questionnaire. METHODS: A cross-sectional psychometric study conducted with children and adolescents aged 01 to 19 years with a clinical diagnosis of asthma, and their respective parents/guardians. The following assessments were conducted: socioeconomic status; clinical control using the Childhood Asthma Control Test (c-ACT), Asthma Control Test (ACT); caregiver quality of life using the Pediatric Asthma Caregivers Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ); and pulmonary function test (spirometry). Validity was evaluated as follows: exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis; Cronbach's alpha analysis (α); floor and ceiling effects; receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 128 participants were included, most of them male (54.7%). The Brazilian version of PACCI had adequate internal consistency (α = .76) and moderate floor and ceiling effects. The internal structure presented acceptable adjustment indices, considering the extraction of four factors. The factors presented adequate α values. Asthma control factor 1 correlated with c-ACT/ACT and PACQLQ. Control domain scores greater than four points (sum of score) and above 1 point (problem index) were indicative of uncontrolled asthma. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of PACCI was able to provide valid and reliable measures in evaluating the clinical control of asthma in Brazilian children and adolescents.

Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument: translation into Portuguese and cross-cultural adaptation for use in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To translate the Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument (PACCI) to Portuguese and adapt it for use in Brazil, ensuring the cultural validity of the content and semantic equivalence of the target version. METHODS: The Brazilian Portuguese-language version of the PACCI was developed according to the most commonly used methodology, which included the following steps: translation; synthesis of the translation; review by the author of the original questionnaire; back-translation; synthesis of the back-translation; review by a native external researcher who is a native speaker of English; approval of the author of the original questionnaire; review by a specialist in Portuguese; review by a multidisciplinary committee of experts to determine the agreement of the items, considering the clarity of each and its appropriateness in the cultural context; cognitive debriefing; and development of the final version. The cognitive debriefing involved 31 parents/legal guardians of children 1-21 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of asthma, as defined by the Global Initiative for Asthma, with the objective of determining the comprehensibility and clarity of the items for the target population. RESULTS: The multidisciplinary committee of experts indicated that the items on the questionnaire were clear and comprehensible, with kappa values above 0.61, indicating substantial agreement. In the cognitive debriefing, the parents/legal guardians presented no difficulties in understanding any of the items (agreement > 0.90); therefore, no further changes were needed. CONCLUSIONS: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the PACCI for use in Brazil were successful.

Sistemas de saúde e percepção de barreiras para admissão e aderência em programas de reabilitação cardíaca: estudo comparativo / Health systems and perception of barriers to admission and adherence in cardiac rehabilitation programs: a comparative study

Além da elevada prevalência de doenças cardiovasculares (DCV), iniquidades regionais no acesso aos serviços de saúde e subutilização de programas de reabilitação cardíaca (PRC) ainda são marcantes no cenário brasileiro. Objetivo: Esse estudo visou descrever e comparar barreiras para uso de PRC em usuários de diferentes sistemas de saúde e níveis de atendimento em um estado brasileiro. Métodos: Participantes de PRC e pacientes elegíveis de enfermarias e ambulatórios foram pareados pelos sistemas de saúde que utilizavam e responderam a Escala de Barreiras para Reabilitação Cardíaca (EBRC). Os testes U de Mann-Withney e Kruskal Wallis foram usados para comparar barreiras entre os sistemas de saúde e entre níveis de atendimento, respectivamente. Resultados: Cento e quarenta (87%) pacientes participaram do estudo. A média total dos itens da escala foi 1,98±0,48 e diferiu apenas entre participantes de PRC e pacientes internados (p<0,05). Algumas barreiras de acesso, necessidades percebidas e comorbidades/estado funcional foram maiores no sistema público do que no privado (p<0,05). A falta de conhecimento sobre PRC (3.75±1.66) e a falta de referência médica (2.32±1.53) destacaram-se no domínio necessidades percebidas, que teve o maior escore médio da amostra (2.31±0.71). Conclusões: Barreiras de acesso e necessidades percebidas foram maiores para usuários de serviços públicos. Viagens e trabalho foram barreiras maiores para participantes de PRC, enquanto para pacientes internados e ambulatoriais as maiores barreiras foram necessidades percebidas. Logo, a disseminação de PRC e estratégias para referência de elegíveis devem ser estimuladas em ambos os sistemas de saúde e níveis de atendimento.

In addition to the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), regional iniquities in access to health services and underutilization of cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) are still significant in the Brazilian scenario. Objective:This study aimed to describe and compare barriers to the use of CRP in users of different health systems and levels of care in a Brazilian state. Methods: CRP participants and eligible inpatients and outpatients were matched by the health systems they used and responded to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS). Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to compare barriers in health systems and levels of care, respectively. Results: One hundred and forty (87%) adults with heart disease participated in the study. The total mean score of barriers on the scale was 1.98 ± 0.48 and only differed between CRP participants and inpatients (p<0.05). Some access barriers, perceived needs and comorbidities/functional status were higher in the public services than in the private services (p <0.05). Lack of knowledge about CRP (3.75 ± 1.66) and lack of medical referral (2.32 ± 1.53) were the major barriers in the perceived needs domain, which had the highest average score in the sample (2.31 ± 0.71). Conclusions: Access barriers and perceived needs were greater among users of public services. Travel and work were greater barriers for CRP participants, while for inpatients and outpatients the largest were perceived needs. Therefore, the dissemination of CRP and implementation of strategies for eligible referral should be encouraged in both health systems and levels of care.

Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument: translation into Portuguese and cross-cultural adaptation for use in Brazil / Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument: tradução e adaptação transcultural para a língua portuguesa falada no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To translate the Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument (PACCI) to Portuguese and adapt it for use in Brazil, ensuring the cultural validity of the content and semantic equivalence of the target version. Methods: The Brazilian Portuguese-language version of the PACCI was developed according to the most commonly used methodology, which included the following steps: translation; synthesis of the translation; review by the author of the original questionnaire; back-translation; synthesis of the back-translation; review by a native external researcher who is a native speaker of English; approval of the author of the original questionnaire; review by a specialist in Portuguese; review by a multidisciplinary committee of experts to determine the agreement of the items, considering the clarity of each and its appropriateness in the cultural context; cognitive debriefing; and development of the final version. The cognitive debriefing involved 31 parents/legal guardians of children 1-21 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of asthma, as defined by the Global Initiative for Asthma, with the objective of determining the comprehensibility and clarity of the items for the target population. Results: The multidisciplinary committee of experts indicated that the items on the questionnaire were clear and comprehensible, with kappa values above 0.61, indicating substantial agreement. In the cognitive debriefing, the parents/legal guardians presented no difficulties in understanding any of the items (agreement > 0.90); therefore, no further changes were needed. Conclusions: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the PACCI for use in Brazil were successful.

RESUMO Objetivo: Realizar a tradução e a adaptação transcultural do Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument (PACCI) para o contexto da população brasileira, e assegurar a validade de conteúdo e equivalência semântica da versão adaptada. Métodos: A versão do PACCI para a língua portuguesa falada no Brasil foi desenvolvida de acordo com a metodologia mais comumente utilizada, que incluiu as seguintes etapas: tradução; síntese da tradução; revisão de um pesquisador nativo de língua inglesa; tradução reversa; síntese da tradução reversa; revisão de um pesquisador nativo de língua inglesa; apreciação do autor do questionário original; revisão por especialista em língua portuguesa; revisão do comitê multiprofissional de especialistas para verificar a concordância dos itens, considerando a clareza e a adequação dos itens ao contexto cultural; desdobramento cognitivo; e desenvolvimento da versão final. O desdobramento cognitivo foi realizado com 31 pais/responsáveis por crianças e adolescentes de 1-21 anos, com diagnóstico clínico de asma de acordo com a Global Initiative for Asthma, com o objetivo de verificar a compreensão e a clareza dos itens na população-alvo. Resultados: O comitê multiprofissional de especialistas indicou que os itens do questionário se apresentaram claros e compreensíveis, com valores de kappa superiores a 0,61, indicando concordância substancial. Considerando o procedimento de desdobramento cognitivo, os pais/responsáveis não apresentaram dificuldades de compreensão (concordância > 0,90) não havendo necessidade de modificações da versão final em português. Conclusões: O PACCI apresenta-se adequadamente traduzido e transculturalmente adaptado para uso na população brasileira.