title: Importance of physician identification of airflow limitation in stable asthmatics.
abstract: The physician's ability to recognize airflow limitation was assessed in 92 stable asthmatics between seven and 12 years of age. A parental symptom score was obtained. The physician assigned a physical sign score and a clinical impression score based on the severity and lability of symptoms. Airflow limitation was considered significant if the forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of the vital capacity (FEF25-75) was less than 50% predicted. The FEF25-75 did not correlate with any of the scores and was less than 50% predicted in 27 of 92. There was no clinical suspicion of abnormality in 12 of 27. The FEF25-75 increased significantly after salbutamol inhalation in 22 of 23 but was persistently abnormal on follow-up in 9 of 21. We conclude that without pulmonary function tests the physician may fail to identify significant reversible airflow limitation in 13% of stable asthmatic children.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents