Development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policies

Background There is no definitive cure for asthma, as prevention remains a major goal. Decision analytic models are routinely used to evaluate the value-for-money proposition of interventions. Following best practice standards in decision-analytic modelling, the objective of this study was to solici...

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Main Authors: Mohsen Sadatsafavi, Stuart E Turvey, Padmaja Subbarao, Malcolm R Sears, Theo J Moraes, Amin Adibi, Piush J Mandhane, Tae Yoon Lee, Allen B Becker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2021-01-01
Series:BMJ Open Respiratory Research
Online Access:https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/8/1/e000881.full
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author Mohsen Sadatsafavi
Stuart E Turvey
Padmaja Subbarao
Malcolm R Sears
Theo J Moraes
Amin Adibi
Piush J Mandhane
Tae Yoon Lee
Allen B Becker
author_facet Mohsen Sadatsafavi
Stuart E Turvey
Padmaja Subbarao
Malcolm R Sears
Theo J Moraes
Amin Adibi
Piush J Mandhane
Tae Yoon Lee
Allen B Becker
author_sort Mohsen Sadatsafavi
collection DOAJ
description Background There is no definitive cure for asthma, as prevention remains a major goal. Decision analytic models are routinely used to evaluate the value-for-money proposition of interventions. Following best practice standards in decision-analytic modelling, the objective of this study was to solicit expert opinion to develop a concept map for a policy model for primary prevention of asthma.Methods We reviewed currently available decision analytic models for asthma prevention. A steering committee of economic modellers, allergists and respirologists was then convened to draft a conceptual model of paediatric asthma. A modified Delphi method was followed to define the context of the problem at hand (evaluation of asthma prevention strategies) and develop the concept map of the model.Results Consensus was achieved after three rounds of discussions, followed by concealed voting. In the final conceptual model, asthma diagnosis was based on three domains of lung function, atopy and their symptoms. The panel recommended several markers for each domain. These domains were in turn affected by several risk factors. The panel clustered all risk factors under three groups of ‘patient characteristic’, ‘family history’ and ‘environmental factors’. To be capable of modelling the interplay among risk factors, the panel recommended the use of microsimulation, with an open-population approach that would enable modelling phased implementation and gradual and incomplete uptake of the intervention.Conclusions Economic evaluation of childhood interventions for preventing asthma will require modelling of several codependent risk factors and multiple domains that affect the diagnosis. The conceptual model can inform the development and validation of a policy model for childhood asthma prevention.
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spelling doaj-art-8f2ff2c8245b4196b1c8417940ff26672025-08-20T02:22:26ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open Respiratory Research2052-44392021-01-018110.1136/bmjresp-2021-000881Development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policiesMohsen Sadatsafavi0Stuart E Turvey1Padmaja Subbarao2Malcolm R Sears3Theo J Moraes4Amin Adibi5Piush J Mandhane6Tae Yoon Lee7Allen B Becker87 Respiratory Evaluation Sciences Program, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaDivision of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia and British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaDivision of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaDivision of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaDivision of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaRespiratory Evaluation Sciences Program, Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaFaculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Pediatrics Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaRespiratory Evaluation Sciences Program, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaSection of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaBackground There is no definitive cure for asthma, as prevention remains a major goal. Decision analytic models are routinely used to evaluate the value-for-money proposition of interventions. Following best practice standards in decision-analytic modelling, the objective of this study was to solicit expert opinion to develop a concept map for a policy model for primary prevention of asthma.Methods We reviewed currently available decision analytic models for asthma prevention. A steering committee of economic modellers, allergists and respirologists was then convened to draft a conceptual model of paediatric asthma. A modified Delphi method was followed to define the context of the problem at hand (evaluation of asthma prevention strategies) and develop the concept map of the model.Results Consensus was achieved after three rounds of discussions, followed by concealed voting. In the final conceptual model, asthma diagnosis was based on three domains of lung function, atopy and their symptoms. The panel recommended several markers for each domain. These domains were in turn affected by several risk factors. The panel clustered all risk factors under three groups of ‘patient characteristic’, ‘family history’ and ‘environmental factors’. To be capable of modelling the interplay among risk factors, the panel recommended the use of microsimulation, with an open-population approach that would enable modelling phased implementation and gradual and incomplete uptake of the intervention.Conclusions Economic evaluation of childhood interventions for preventing asthma will require modelling of several codependent risk factors and multiple domains that affect the diagnosis. The conceptual model can inform the development and validation of a policy model for childhood asthma prevention.https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/8/1/e000881.full
spellingShingle Mohsen Sadatsafavi
Stuart E Turvey
Padmaja Subbarao
Malcolm R Sears
Theo J Moraes
Amin Adibi
Piush J Mandhane
Tae Yoon Lee
Allen B Becker
Development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policies
BMJ Open Respiratory Research
title Development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policies
title_full Development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policies
title_fullStr Development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policies
title_full_unstemmed Development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policies
title_short Development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policies
title_sort development of a conceptual model of childhood asthma to inform asthma prevention policies
url https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/8/1/e000881.full
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