Asthma Predictive Index
Also written as: API — Asthma Predictive Index
A validated clinical tool used in pediatric pulmonology to estimate the likelihood that recurrent wheezing in early childhood will progress to persistent asthma.
Full Definition
The Asthma Predictive Index (API) is a risk-stratification instrument developed to identify young children (under age 3) with frequent wheezing episodes who are at elevated risk for developing persistent asthma by school age. It incorporates major criteria (parental asthma, physician-diagnosed eczema) and minor criteria (wheezing without colds, allergic rhinitis, eosinophilia ≥4%). The term should always be capitalized as a proper name and abbreviated API after first use; editors must ensure the abbreviation is introduced correctly at first mention. It should not be confused with the Asthma Control Test (ACT), which measures current symptom burden rather than future risk.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalize all words as a proper noun. Introduce the abbreviation API at first use. Do not confuse with the Asthma Control Test (ACT).
In Context
- "The manuscript introduced the Asthma Predictive Index (API) correctly on first mention but thereafter used 'asthma predictive index' in lowercase, which the editor flagged for consistency." — Journal manuscript copy-editing
- "A positive Asthma Predictive Index score prompted the clinician to initiate preventive inhaled corticosteroid therapy." — Clinical guideline editing