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Asthma Diagnosis: Clinical Evaluation, Spirometry, and Differential Diagnosis of Respiratory Allergies and PEF Variability

A Hispanic physician in his 40s, wearing a white coat and stethoscope, demonstrates how to use a spirometer to a Hispanic teenager in a modern medical office. In the background, a chart of the respiratory system and a screen displaying spirometry results are visible. This scene captures a professional and welcoming environment, essential for asthma diagnosis, including assessments of PEF variability and bronchoprovocation in patients with respiratory allergies.

The asthma diagnosis is a complex process that requires a detailed clinical evaluation, the use of diagnostic tools such as spirometry, and consideration of a comprehensive differential diagnosis. Asthma is a chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide, and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management. Identifying symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, and wheezing, along with the patient's clinical history, are fundamental initial steps in the clinical evaluation.

Spirometry is an essential tool in asthma diagnosis, as it allows for the measurement of lung function and detection of airflow obstruction. This procedure is key to differentiating asthma from other respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, PEF variability (peak expiratory flow) is an important indicator of airflow variability, a characteristic of asthma. The literature review suggests that spirometry, along with bronchoprovocation tests, can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy [1].

The differential diagnosis is crucial for distinguishing asthma from other conditions that may present similar symptoms, such as vocal cord dysfunction or respiratory allergies. The vocal cord dysfunction is an example of a condition that is often confused with asthma due to symptom similarity [2]. Furthermore, the overlap between asthma and COPD can complicate diagnosis, requiring careful evaluation of clinical history and pulmonary function test results [3].

In conclusion, asthma diagnosis requires a combination of clinical evaluation, pulmonary function tests such as spirometry, and a careful approach to differential diagnosis. Accurate identification of this disease allows for more effective treatment and improved quality of life for patients. Current literature emphasizes the importance of using a multidimensional approach for the diagnosis and management of asthma, especially in special populations such as older adults and children [4].

Referencias

[1] Asthma.

[2] Spirometry and provocation tests for vocal fold dysfunction diagnosis: a retrospective case series.

[3] Overlap of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[4] Advances in the diagnosis and management of asthma in older adults.


Created 2/1/2025