Perspectives of pediatricians and general practitioners on definition and important outcomes in bronchiolitis

We assessed the perspectives of pediatricians (Peds) and general practitioners (GPs) on definition and clinically important outcomes in bronchiolitis. The ABBA study was a nationwide online survey with members of the Portuguese Society of Pediatrics and of GPs9 mailing lists.The questionnaire evaluated agreement with statements on bronchiolitis definition,and importance given to different outcomes.We used principal component analysis (PCA) to explore dimensions underlying disease definition,and MANOVA to explore their determinants. 514 Peds and 165 GPs participated (59% specialists).On definition,most Peds agreed with preceding coryza (93%),wheezing (93%) and rales/crepitations (90%),and disagreed with sudden onset (68%),but varied on nr of episodes (1st: 32%, Physician definitions of bronchiolitis have considerable variability and often mismatch those of clinical trials.Rating of important outcomes was consistent.Our results contribute to rational study design and interpretation of evidence,and inform a core outcome set in this field.