BACKGROUND: There are studies indicating that bronchial asthma is often underdiagnosed, while only a little research has been conducted as concerns overdiagnosing asthma. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the number of patients who have been given the wrong diagnosis of asthma. METHODS: All patients aged above 18 years who had visited two GPs during 1994 or 1995, with the diagnosis of bronchial asthma confirmed in the medical register, were examined by a specialist in allergies. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three patients fulfilled the criteria for being included in the study. Eighty-six patients (70%) attended the examination. Of these, 51 (59%) had bronchial asthma, six (7%) asthma in combination with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 29 (34%) no asthmatic disease. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that more accuracy is needed when diagnosing bronchial asthma.
BACKGROUND: There are studies indicating that bronchial asthma is often underdiagnosed, while only a little research has been conducted as concerns overdiagnosing asthma. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the number of patients who have been given the wrong diagnosis of asthma. METHODS: All patients aged above 18 years who had visited two GPs during 1994 or 1995, with the diagnosis of bronchial asthma confirmed in the medical register, were examined by a specialist in allergies. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three patients fulfilled the criteria for being included in the study. Eighty-six patients (70%) attended the examination. Of these, 51 (59%) had bronchial asthma, six (7%) asthma in combination with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 29 (34%) no asthmatic disease. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that more accuracy is needed when diagnosing bronchial asthma.
Authors: Chao Qiang Jiang; Adrian Loerbroks; Kin-bong Hubert Lam; Jos A Bosch; G Neil Thomas; Wei Sen Zhang; Kar Keung Cheng; Tai Hing Lam; Peymané Adab Journal: Int J Behav Med Date: 2013-06
Authors: Dominick Shaw; Ruth Green; Mike Berry; Sarah Mellor; Beverley Hargadon; Maria Shelley; Sue McKenna; Mike Thomas; Ian Pavord Journal: Prim Care Respir J Date: 2012-09
Authors: Helen K Reddel; Eric D Bateman; Allan Becker; Louis-Philippe Boulet; Alvaro A Cruz; Jeffrey M Drazen; Tari Haahtela; Suzanne S Hurd; Hiromasa Inoue; Johan C de Jongste; Robert F Lemanske; Mark L Levy; Paul M O'Byrne; Pierluigi Paggiaro; Soren E Pedersen; Emilio Pizzichini; Manuel Soto-Quiroz; Stanley J Szefler; Gary W K Wong; J Mark FitzGerald Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 2015-07-23 Impact factor: 16.671