Exacerbations in adults with asthma: A systematic review and external validation of prediction models

Publication date: Available online 15 February 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Rik JB. Loymans, Thomas PA. Debray, Persijn J. Honkoop, Evelien H. Termeer, Jiska B. Snoeck-Stroband, Tjard RJ. Schermer, Willem JJ. Assendelft, Merel Timp, Kian Fan Chung, Ana R. Sousa, Jaap K. Sont, Peter J. Sterk, Helen K. Reddel, Gerben ter Riet
BackgroundSeveral prediction models assessing future risk of exacerbations in adult patients with asthma have been published. Applicability of these models is uncertain because their predictive performance has often not been assessed beyond the population in which they were derived.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify and critically appraise prediction models for asthma exacerbations and validate them in two clinically distinct populations.MethodsPubMed and EMBASE were searched to April 2017 for reports describing adult asthma populations in which multivariable models were constructed to predict exacerbations during any time frame. After critical appraisal, the models͛ predictive performances were assessed in a primary and a secondary care population for: author-defined exacerbations and for ATS/ERS-defined severe exacerbations.ResultsWe found 12 reports from which 24 prediction models were evaluated. Three predictors (previous healthcare-utilisation, symptoms, and spirometry values) were retained in most models. Assessment was hampered by sub-optimal methodology and reporting, and by differences in exacerbation outcomes. Discrimination (AUROC) of models for author-defined exacerbations was better in the primary care population (mean 0.71) than in the secondary care population (mean 0.60); and similar (0.65 and 0.62 respectively) for ATS/ERS defined severe exacerbations. Model calibration was generally poor, but consistent between the two populations.ConclusionThe preservation of three predictors in models derived from variable populations and the fairly consistent predictive properties of most models in two distinct validation populations suggest the feasibility of a generalizable model predicting severe exacerbations. Nevertheless, improvement of the models is warranted as predictive performances are below the desired level.