[Investigation and analysis of the diagnostic status of bronchial asthma]

The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of delayed diagnosis of the bronchial asthma and related factors.

57 asthmatic outpatients were investigated randomly by questionnaire including main symptoms of asthmatic attack, the date of initial attack, the date of initial visit physician, and initial diagnosis, the basis of diagnosis and the names of misdiagnosed diseases. Then according to the above-mentioned data the duration of delayed diagnosis, the rate of delayed diagnosis were calculated.

96% of outpatients saw physician within 1 yr. after initial attack. The duration from initial visit to making diagnosis were 11.1 +/- 2.3, and 1.5 +/- 0.3 yr. before and after 1980, respectively, and their rate of delayed diagnosis were 75%, 15%, respectively. Both of their differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Only 20% of diagnosis of asthma was by pulmonary function test.

The majority of the delayed diagnosis should be due to making the mis-understanding and underattention of physician to the asthma, and their diagnostic levels should need further improving.