Diagnostic specificity of dynamic assessment and monitoring of spirometry in asthma / 中国医学科学院学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the diagnostic specificity of dynamic assessment and monitoring using a portable spirometer in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of asthma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>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.</p>