Worb

The Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort SPAC is a national, ongoing study focused on children and adolescents in Switzerland who visit doctors for repeated wheezing, coughing, and breathing problems related to exercise or sleep. It aims to improve understanding of different clinical types, outcomes, diagnoses, and treatments for these respiratory issues. The study collects real-world data from routine care without performing tests solely for research purposes. Participants are children aged 0 to 16 years referred to paediatric pulmonary outpatient clinics across 10 Swiss hospitals and clinics. Families complete detailed questionnaires at the start, providing information on symptoms, medical history, treatments, and environmental factors. Lung function, allergy, blood, or other tests are done only if needed for clinical care. Follow-up includes monthly questionnaires for the first year and annual questionnaires thereafter to track symptoms and treatments over time. During the study, caregivers and patients 14 years or older provide information through online or postal questionnaires. Medical records from hospitals contribute data on clinical findings, diagnoses, and treatments. The studys main outcomes measured after one year include wheezing, coughing excluding colds, exercise-induced breathing difficulty, and lung function changes. The study plans long-term follow-up with yearly assessments and continues until 2030, supporting research on healthcare and respiratory problems in children.