TY - JOUR T1 - Spirometry quality control grades in Malawian children JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - 215 AU - Jane Kirkby AU - Natasha Lelijveld AU - Marko Kerac AU - Janet Stocks Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/215.abstract N2 - Background:Severe Acute Malnutrition(SAM) affects 19million children>5y globally, and results in >1million deaths/y(WHO, 2007). The ChroSAM study (Chronic Disease Outcomes following Severe Acute Malnutrition) is a prospective cohort study exploring early markers of chronic disease after SAMAim:To overread spirometry measured in Malawi and assign quality control(QC)gradesMethods:Newly-trained researchers measured spirometry in accordance with guidelines adapted for children (Kirkby, PedPulm 2008) in Malawian children aged 5-19y. Independent overreading and assignment of QC grades for FEV1 and FVC was conducted in the UK by a senior physiologistView this table:Table1: QC grading for spirometryResults:169 spirometry results were reviewed. 68% were acceptable (grade A-C for FEV1 &FVC)11% had grade D for FEV1 &FVC, 4% had grade D for FEV1 but failed FVC, and 1% had grade D for FVC but failed FEV1. The distribution of grade D was evenly distributed across the ages and spirometry z-scores obtained. 16% failed (grade F for both FEV1 &FVC).Conclusions:With appropriate training and QC, high success rates for technically acceptable spirometry can be reached by newly trained researchers under field conditions. Using this approach will ensure data quality and increase confidence in results. ER -