DIAGNOSING ASTHMA IN SOECIAL POPULATIONS
PATIENTS WITH COUGH AS THE ONLY RESPIRATOLR SYMPTOM
This may be due to chronic upper airway cough syndrome (‘post-nasal drip’) chronic sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), vocal cord dysfunction, or eosinophilic bronchitis, or cough variant asthma. Cough variant asthma is characterized by cough and airway hyperresponsiveness , and documenting variability in lung function is essential to make this diagnosis. However, lack of variability at the time of testing does not exclude asthma. For other diagnostic test, see BOX 2., and chapter 1 of the GINA 2015 report, or refer the patient for specialist opinion.
OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA AND WORK-AGGRAVATED ASTHMA
Every patient with adult-onset asthma should be asked about occupational exposures, and whether their asthma is better when they are away from work. It is important to confirm the diagnosis objectively (which often needs specialist referral) and to eliminate exposure as soon as possible.
PREGNANT WOMEN
Ask all pregnant women and those planning pregnancy about asthma, and advise theme about the importance of asthma treatment for the health both mother and baby.
THE ELDERLY
Asthma may be under-diagnosed in the elderly, due to poor perception, and assumption that dyspnea is normal in old age, lack of fitness, or reduced activity. Asthma may also be over-diagnosed in the elderly through confusion with shortness of breath due to left ventricular failure or ischemic heart disease. If there is a history of smoking or biomass fuel fuel exposure, COPD or asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) should be considered (see chapter 5 of the GINA 2015 report).
SMOKERS AND EX-SMOKERS
Asthma and COPD may co-exist or overlap (asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, ACOS), particularly in smokers and the elderly. The history and pattern of symptoms and past records can help to distinguish asthma with fixed airflow limitation from COPD. Uncertainty in diagnosis should prompt early referral, as ACOS has worse outcomes then asthma or COPD alone.
CONFRIMING AN ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS IN PATIENTS TAKING CONTROLLER TREATMENT
For many patients (25-35%) with a diagnosis of asthma in primary care, the diagnosis can not be confirmed. If the basis of the diagnosis has not already been document, confirmation with objective testing should be sought.