Findings on a patient’s history and physical exam such as cough, wheeze and dyspnea may be caused by many conditions, including asthma. When the diagnosis of current or persistent asthma is suspected it must be confirmed with objective testing, as up to one third of patients with suspected asthma show no objective evidence when later tested and may have went into sustained clinical remission or never had asthma. Misdiagnosis leads to delayed treatment of the underlying condition and unnecessary exposure to medication side effects. Objective methods of confirming the diagnosis of asthma in patients in whom asthma is suspected should be used such as spirometry, methacholine challenge, exercise challenge or peak flow variability. These tests may be normal when on treatment.
For more information:
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