Application and considerations of minimal clinically important difference in efficacy assessment of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma, a significant chronic condition, poses a substantial threat to global public health, with a rising number of clinical studies dedicated to understanding this disease. In the analysis of the outcomes of these studies, it is crucial to consider not just statistical significance but also the clinical relevance of the findings. The concept of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) offers a valuable framework for assessing the clinical relevance of research findings, particularly in the context of asthma-related scales and metrics. It is a pivotal component in the clinical application and interpretation of these tools. Despite the ongoing advancement of localized asthma scale research in China, a notable gap still exists in MCID studies. The methodologies employed in this area are yet to reach a state of maturity, indicating a need for further development and refinement. Consequently, in this article, pertinent literature on the establishment of MCID in the efficacy assessment of bronchial asthma at home and abroad was reviewed, and the research findings were systematically compiled, aiming to analyze and summarize the current application of MCID in the efficacy evaluation of bronchial asthma, offer a theoretical framework that expedites the regional validation of pertinent MCID values within clinical trials for bronchial asthma, while also establish regional efficacy assessment instruments. Concurrently, it will lay a quantitative benchmark and foundation for future clinical research on bronchial asthma.