There are several considerations for whether our findings on asthma can be generalized to other types of health conditions. In a related study (Miller, Gaboda and Davis, 2001; see slide 1), we found poor to moderate concurrence on 12 of 13 other chronic children�s health conditions studied, ranging from chronic heart conditions and chronic orthopedic conditions to delays in speech and problems with vision. This study used data for three year-old children, hence patterns could be different for older children or for adults. However, studies of adult health and of health during pregnancy have also found inconsistencies between patient self-reports and medical records.

Related readings:
Jessop DJ, Stein REK, 1995. �Consistent but not the same: Effect of method on chronic condition rates,� Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 149:1105-10.

Olson JE, Shu XO, Ross JA, Pendergrass T, Robison LL. 1997. �Medical record validation of maternally reported birth characteristics and pregnancy-related events: A report from the Children�s Cancer Group,� American Journal of Epidemiology. 145(1):58-67.