Table 1.

Study outcome measures

Measure	Description
Biophysical Measures
Bronchodilator responsiveness	Pre-and post-bronchodilator (short acting beta agonist) are assessed (Miller et al., 2005). Spirometry is repeated at 30 minutes post-nebulizer. If 12% reversibility is not achieved spirometry is again repeated at 60 minutes.
Home spirometry	Provides precise volume and flow measurements and complies with American Thoracic Society standards for accuracy and reproducibility (+/− 3%) (Miller et al., 2005).
Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO)	Nitric oxide (NO) is generated by inflammatory cells, primarily by airway eosinophils. An elevated level of exhaled NO is considered a marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation. (Dweik et al., 2011).
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness	Methacholine challenge test (MCT) is done to confirm asthma if there is no documented bronchodilator reversibility ≤ 5 years (Crapo et al., 2000).
Atopic skin prick testing (SPT)	SPT on the forearm with standardized extracts and bifurcated SPT devices for 13 common allergens (cat, dog, dust mite, German cockroach, Maple/Box elder, Oak mix, Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, short ragweed, English plantain, Lambs quarter, Alternaria, and Aspergillus). Positive SPT: wheal ≥ 3 mm than the saline control after 15 minutes (Smith et al., 2012).
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)	Total and specific serum IgE levels (IU/mL) are measured using commercially available assay.
Sputum Analysis	Sputum eosinophilic cationic protein is measured as a biomarker of eosinophilic inflammation in the asthmatic airway, urokinase plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhibitor as these may have prognostic value for determining asthma severity. (Barck, Lundahl, Hallden, & Bylin, 2005; Haldar et al., 2008; Kowal, Zukowski, Moniuszko, & Bodzenta-Lukaszyk, 2008).
Self-Reported Measures
Asthma Knowledge	24-item Self-Management Knowledge Questionnaire; α = .69 (Schaffer & Yarandi, 2007)
Asthma Self-efficacy	12-item Self-Efficacy Scale; α =.86 (Krieger, Takaro, Song, Beaudet, & Edwards, 2009)
Asthma control	5-item Asthma Control Test™ (ACT); α=.79-.84 (M. Schatz et al., 2007; Schatz et al., 2006)
Asthma quality of life	15-item Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire; α =.95 (Juniper, Buist, Cox, Ferrie, & King, 1999; Juniper, O’Byrne, Ferrie, King, & Roberts, 2000)
Functional and health status	12-item Short Form-12v2™; test-retest=.89 (Ware Jr, Kosinski, & Keller, 1996)
Nutritional status	5-item Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form®; α=.65 (Kaiser et al., 2009),
Medication Risk Assessment	4 item Morisky Scale of medication adherence; α=.56-.62 (Morisky, Green, & Levine, 1986) Health Literacy Single Item Screener (SILS); Specificity 83% (Morris, MacLean, Chew, & Littenberg, 2006) CLOX drawing; discriminated between those with Alzheimer’s and elderly controls (Royall, Cordes, & Polk, 1998)
Home Environmental Measures
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)	24-hour sample taken in room that participant spends majority of time (e.g. bedroom) and outside their home. Indoor sample taken 1 meter off floor. Canisters use flow controllers to allow the pre-evacuated canister to fill slowly over a 24-hour period.
Air Particulates	24-hour sample taken in room that participant spends majority of time. Sample taken 1 meter off the floor. Laser particle counter counts particles in .01 cubic foot of air and is calibrated to count small (0.5 microns) and larger (2.5 microns) particles.
Moisture	On-site bathroom(s), kitchen and other areas are assessed as warranted.
Temperature and humidity	24-hour measure of temperature and humidity taken in room participant spends majority of time.
Pests	Visual inspections; traps placed based on visible observations of pest activity.
Home Environmental Checklist	Checklist of 149 items completed by trained observers assessing the building exterior, home interior, and room interior for dust, cleaning, ventilation, moisture, pets, pests, heating and cooling, and hobbies. Visual inspection of kitchen, living room, participant’s bathroom, participant’s bedroom, and basement (if available).