MASK-air is a mobile app that includes 5 items with validated visual analogue scales assessing daily symptoms in Asthma. The aim of this study was to correlate MASK-air scores with small airway resistance (which indicated by impulse oscillometry) in Step 1 and 2 asthma patients, and to determine if patients who have a low MASK-air scores still have abnormal small airway resistance.

A prospective cohort study was conducted. GINA Step 1 and 2 Asthma patients included in the study. Patients were evaluated with MASK-air scores and IOS measures in both period when they are less and more symptomatic. Spearman Rank correlation was used the find correlation between individual MASK-air scores and IOS. Multiple linear regression models were developed to evaluate correlation between multiple MASK-air scores and IOS.

There was no significant correlation between individual MASK-air items and small airway resistance (R5-20%) in less symptomatic period (Table 2). A strong negative correlation was found between MASK-air Health scores and R5-20% when patients were more symptomatic (Table 2). When the MASK-air Global Allergy, Asthma, and Health items were evaluated together in symptomatic patients, a strong correlation found with R5-R20%(Table 4). 

In conclusion, in less symptomatic GINA 1-2 Asthma patients, MASK-air scores are not significantly associated with small airway resistance. Thus, low MASK-air scores does not exclude the abnormal small airway resistance. But when MASK-air Global allergy, Asthma and Health items strongly correlated with small airway resistance and can be utilized for follow-up of asthma patients.