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Table 6 Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of respiratory symptoms and asthma in relation to restrictive spirometric interpretation, taluka Gambat district Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan

From: Correlation of respiratory symptoms and spirometric lung patterns in a rural community setting, Sindh, Pakistan: a cross sectional survey

Symptoms

Positive predictive value (%)

Negative predictive value (%)

Sensitivity (%)

Specificity (%)

Frequent cough 36

31.25

82.80

27.02

85.52

Chronic cough 37

40.00

82.18

16.21

94

Frequent phlegm 38

36.11

84.31

35.13

84.86

Chronic phlegm 39

42.10

82.94

21.62

92.76

Frequent wheeze 40

50.00

85.27

35.13

91.44

Chronic wheeze 41

47.36

83.52

18.91

93.42

Shortness of breath grade I 42

35.29

83.87

32.43

85.52

Shortness of breath grade II 43

40.00

82.84

21.62

92.10

Composite variable for frequent symptoms 44

31.66

86.04

51.35

73.02

Composite variable for chronic symptoms 45

37.83

84.86

37.83

84.86

Self-reported asthma 46

31.57

81.76

16.21

91.44

Physician diagnosed asthma 47

45.45

82.02

13.51

96.05

  1. 36. Frequent cough defined as presence of cough on most days for 3 consecutive months or more during the year.
  2. 37. Chronic cough defined as presence of cough for 3 consecutive months in 2 consecutive years.
  3. 38. Frequent phlegm defined as bringing up phlegm on most days of month, for 3 consecutive months or more in a year.
  4. 39. Chronic phlegm defined as presence of phlegm for 3 consecutive months in 2 consecutive years.
  5. 40. Frequent wheezing defined as whistling sound heard on expiration within 2 years.
  6. 41. Chronic wheezing defined as whistling sounds heard on expiration more than 2 years.
  7. 42. Shortness of breath Grade I defined as shortness of breath, when hurrying on the level or walking up a slight hill.
  8. 43. Shortness of breath Grade II defined as: walk slower than people of the same age on the level because of breathlessness or has to stop for breathing when walking at own pace on level.
  9. 44. Composite variable for frequent symptoms: Frequent (cough + phlegm + wheeze + shortness of breath).
  10. 45. Composite variable for chronic symptoms: Chronic (cough + phlegm + wheeze + shortness of breath).
  11. 46. Self-reported asthma defined as respondent ever had asthma.
  12. 47. Physician diagnosed asthma defined as asthma confirmed by a doctor.