Spirometry and Asthma
Asthma diagnosis is largely clinical, but it is important that diagnosis is backed up with objective testing. Unfortunately about a third of patients who have been given a diagnosis of asthma, don’t actually have a diagnosis when they are evaluated with objective tests.
Spirometry with reversibility is the gold-standard objective test for asthma. In patients with asthma who are currently experiencing bronchoconstriction, you would expect to see an abnormal spirometry and a significant improvement in FEV1 of more than 12% or 200ml when you perform a reversibility assessment. Some patients may experience an even greater improvement in FEV1 following administration of a bronchodilator. If the patient experiences a 400ml improvement in FEV1, the diagnosis is much more secure.
Spirometry and Asthma
Asthma diagnosis is largely clinical, but it is important that diagnosis is backed up with objective testing. Unfortunately about a third of patients who have been given a diagnosis of asthma, don’t actually have a diagnosis when they are evaluated with objective tests.
Spirometry with reversibility is the gold-standard objective test for asthma. In patients with asthma who are currently experiencing bronchoconstriction, you would expect to see an abnormal spirometry and a significant improvement in FEV1 of more than 12% or 200ml when you perform a reversibility assessment. Some patients may experience an even greater improvement in FEV1 following administration of a bronchodilator. If the patient experiences a 400ml improvement in FEV1, the diagnosis is much more secure.
Resources
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Improving the diagnosis of asthma in a primary care practice
A process for systematically inviting patients with suspected asthma for objective testing, to improve the diagnostic accuracy of asthma.
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All-Wales Asthma Diagnosis Guideline
Asthma is defined as a clinical diagnosis, supported by tests of airway obstruction, hyper-responsiveness, and inflammation. The All-Wales Adult Asthma Diagnostic guideline provides a simple, step-by-step pathway for making a diagnosis of Asthma in Wales.
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Adult Asthma Guideline supporting notes
Supporting notes for the All Wales Adult Asthma Management and Prescribing Guidelines.