[Diagnostic specificity of dynamic assessment and monitoring of spirometry in asthma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic specificity of dynamic assessment and monitoring using a portable spirometer in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of asthma.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the results of dynamic monitoring of spirometry in 145 symptomatic patients with physician-diagnosed asthma. Flow-volume curve and simultaneous symptoms and mood were measured in a fixed-time thrice-daily assessment schedule for 2 weeks. Patients were allowed to make additional measurements in case of symptom exacerbations.


RESULTS
The clinical data of 51 males and 94 females with a mean age of (39.1 +/- 13.0) years (ranged from 10 to 65 years) were analyzed. Duration of asthma before study was (6.7 +/- 9.9) years. Of 145 patients with physician-diagnosed asthma, 126 (87%) could be conclusively confirmed for a diagnosis of asthma. Asthma was misdiagnosed in 14 patients (9.7%). Overdiagnosis of asthma was observed in 5 patients (3.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic assessment and monitoring using a portable spirometer by revealing variability and reversibility of airway obstruction may provide an additional tool for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of asthma.
Jiang
Hong
H
Department of Pneumology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Han
Jiang-Na
JN
Xu
Wen-Bing
WB
Zhu
Yuan-Jue
YJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult