Definitions and response options for wheeze questions from epidemiology studies of childhood asthma
| Authors | Reference | Definition of “wheeze” | Response options |
| Venn et al | 3 | A noisy whistling sound from the chest, not the throat causing tightness and breathlessness | Yes/no |
| Clifford et al | 18 | Noisy breathing with a whistling sound coming from the chest, not the throat | Not reported |
| Pararajasingamet al | 19 | Noisy breathing with a whistling or squeaky sound coming from the chest | 0, 1–4, 5–12, >12 times |
| Luyt et al | 20 | Breathing that makes a high pitched musical sound from the chest, not the throat | Not reported |
| Brabin et al | 21 | Noisy breathing and a whistling sound coming from the chest, not the throat | Not reported |
| Kellyet al | 22 | Noisy breathing with a whistling sound coming from the chest or throat | Not reported |
| Doull et al | 23 | Noisy breathing with a whistling sound coming from the chest and not the throat | Quantify frequency |
| Lee et al | 28 | Noisy breathing with a whistling quality coming from the chest and not just the throat | Yes/no/not sure |
| “Whistling” alternative | |||
| Burney et al | 5 | Does his or her chest ever sound wheezy or whistling? | Not reported |
| Strachan et al | 11 | Includes ISAAC question “Has this child ever had wheezing or whistling in the chest at any time in the past?” | Yes/no |
| Powell and Primhak4-150 | 24 | (1) Preliminary survey used ISAAC question “Have you ever had wheezing or whistling in the chest at any time in the past?” | (1) Yes/no |
| (2) Detailed survey uses Usherwood et al—wheeze in statements not defined | (2) Every/most/some/few days/not at all | ||
| ISAAC Steering Committee4-160 | 27 | ISAAC International “Has your child ever had wheezing or whistling in the chest at any time?” | Yes/no |