Learn more about a new approach to assessing respiratory and asthma control in children under 5 years of age. This video explains the development of the TRACK assessment tool and how it can help medical professionals who treat children with asthma.
What is TRACK?
TRACK is a simple 5-question test that can help assess respiratory and asthma control in patients under 5 years of age. It addresses both the risk and impairment domains outlined in the NHLBI/NAEPP-3 Asthma Guidelines. TRACK is designed to be used by caregivers and interpreted by medical professionals.
Find additional information on the TRACK test and how to incorporate it into your practice with the full TRACK backgrounder.
Who should use TRACK?
This simple test can help determine if a child's breathing problems are not under control.
The test was designed for children who
- Are under 5 years of age AND
- Have a history of 2 or more episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, or cough lasting more than 24 hours AND
- Have been previously prescribed bronchodilator medicines, also known as quick-relief medications (eg, albuterol, Ventolin®, Proventil®, Maxair®, ProAir®, or Xopenex®) for respiratory problems OR have been diagnosed with asthma
NOTE: TRACK is an assessment of patients with suboptimal respiratory or asthma control; this is NOT a diagnostic test.
How is TRACK used?
- Caregivers fill out the 5-item questionnaire
- When completed, caregiver should hand test to office staff or health care provider
- Each question is scored from 0-20; total TRACK score is 0-100
- A cut-off score of 80 accurately classified children as either well controlled (score ≥ 80) or uncontrolled (score < 80) in ~80% of children
To view the TRACK questionnaire, please visit the TRACK for Caregivers page.
References
- Murphy KR, Zeiger RS, Kosinski M, et al. Test for respiratory and asthma control in kids (TRACK): a caregiver-completed questionnaire for preschool-aged children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;123(4):833-839.
- National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Expert Panel Report #3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. NIH Publication No. 08-4051. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; National Asthma Education and Prevention Program; August 2007.
- Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK™). A User's Guide. AstraZeneca LP. Wilmington, DE. 2008.