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Asthma and asthma-like disorder, a 5-year follow-up study
O Löwhagen1, M Arvidsson, K Pettersson
1Asthma and Allergy Research Group, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. olle.lowhagen@lungall.gu.se
Respiratory Medicine
|December 13, 2002
Summary
Asthma and asthma-like disorders can persist for at least five years. These conditions are closely related, with patients sometimes transitioning between asthma and asthma-like diagnoses over time.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Diagnosis
Background:
- Asthma diagnosis can be challenging, with potential for overlapping symptomology with other respiratory conditions.
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding the natural history and diagnostic stability of respiratory disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the persistence of asthma and asthma-like disorders over a 5-year period.
- To investigate the relationship and potential diagnostic overlap between asthma and asthma-like syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Consecutive adult patients (n=70) with suspected asthma underwent repeat diagnostic evaluations after 5 years.
- Diagnostic procedures included airway symptom scores, spirometry, and methacholine challenge tests.
- Consistent diagnostic criteria for asthma, asthma-like disorder, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were applied at both time points.
Main Results:
- At initial assessment, 56% had asthma, 27% had asthma-like disorder, and 7% had COPD.
- After 5 years, 76% of the initial asthma group and 57% of the asthma-like group maintained their respective diagnoses.
- A notable percentage of patients transitioned between asthma and asthma-like disorder criteria over the 5-year follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Asthma and asthma-like syndromes demonstrate significant persistence over 5 years.
- A close relationship exists between asthma and asthma-like disorders, evidenced by diagnostic criteria shifts between the two over time.
- These findings highlight the dynamic nature of respiratory diagnoses and the importance of long-term follow-up.
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