MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASTHMA
Asthma is a disease with many variation (heterogeneous), usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation. Asthma has to key defining features
A history of respiratory symptoms such as wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness ans cough that vary over time and in intensity, AND
Variable expiratory airflow limitation
A flow-chart for making the diagnosis in clinical practice is shown in Box 1, with the specific criteria for diagnosis asthma in BOX 2.
BOX 1. Diagnosis flow-chart for asthma in clinical practice.
The diagnosis of asthma should be confirmed and, for future reference, the evidence documented in the patient’ s notes. Depending on clinical urgency and access to resources, this should preferably be don’t before starting controller treatment. Confirming the diagnosis of asthma is more difficult after treatment has been started.