ACSS - Asthma Control Scoring System

Standout Feature:

• Uses a per cent score, which is a familiar and easily understood quantification figure  

Key Elements:

• This measure evaluates three types of parameters: clinical, psychological and inflammatory
• Each parameter is quantified to obtain a maximal score of 100%
• A global scale is calculated as the mean of these scores
• Adequate measurement properties both as an evaluative and as a discriminative instrument, that is, is can be helpful in assessing both asthma control as well as treatment needs
• Useful in both clinical practice and for research purposes
• Good test-retest reliability  
• Cross-sectional and longitudinal construct validity were supported between ACSS and 2 other instruments
• This instrument was designed to meet the Canadian Asthma Guidelines criteria for asthma control
• May be completed by either the patient or health care professional  • Available at: LeBlanc A, Robichaud P, Lacasse  Y, Boulet LP. Quantification of asthma control: validation of the Asthma Control Scoring System. Allergy 2007;62:120-125.  

Potential Limitations:  

• Limited information is available for analysis in other settings
• Strictly based on the Canadian asthma control criteria, albeit very close to other national and international guidelines, may have limitations in this particular population and context