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Asthma exacerbation

Prevalence
Clinical features
Differential Diagnosis
Investigations
Therapy
Prevention
Prognosis
Clinical features

Ask about recent symptoms
  • wheezing b
  • cough b
  • any dyspnoea b
  • exertional dyspnoea b
Why?

Symptoms help predict airflow limitation

Patient Target Disorder and
Reference Standard		 Diagnostic Test LR+
(95% CI) 		Post-test Probability LR-
(95% CI) 		Post-test Probability
suspected airflow limitation b
(pre-test probability: 33%) 		airflow limitation
(FEV1 and FVC by spirometry) 		wheezing 3.8
65% 0.66
 25%
suspected airflow limitation b
(pre-test probability: 33%) 		airflow limitation
(FEV1 and FVC by spirometry ) 		cough 1.8
47% 0.69
 25%
suspected airflow limitation b
(pre-test probability: 33%) 		airflow limitation
(FEV1 and FVC by spirometry ) 		any dyspnoea 1.2
37% 0.55
 21%
suspected airflow limitation c
(pre-test probability: 33%) 		airflow limitation
(FEV1 and FVC by spirometry ) 		exertional dyspnoea 3.0
60% 0.98
 33%

 

Expiry date: November 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Authors   B   Wong , CM   Ball
Reviewer   B R   O'Driscoll
CAT Writers   B   Wong , CM   Ball