title: [Asthma and chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy: differential diagnosis].
abstract: Asthma and COPD are common problems seen by general practitioners. They share several signs and symptoms, so that a differential diagnosis generally needs lung function testing, with at least a spirometry, either performed on several occasions, or completed by bronchodilation or non specific bronchoprovocation tests. Spirometry should become one of the tools used daily by a general practitioner.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Erasme, U.L.B.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yernault
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008449:Maximal Expiratory Flow-Volume Curves; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity