Validation of a new clinical scoring system for acute bronchitis

Abstract

ABSS had small floor and ceiling effects (1.8/0.2) and demonstrated high internal consistency (coefficient of 0.66) and internal validity, with a mean inter item total correlation of 0.25. Effect sizes from baseline to subsequent follow-up visits were large (0.5). Wheezing and chest pain were associated with higher ABSS values, whereas irrelevant clinical variables were not. CONCLUSION: The ABSS demonstrated good responsiveness, high internal consistency, good correlation with common respiratory signs and symptoms and high discriminatory validity among patients with acute bronchitis in a high HIV-seroprevalence setting.