Precise diagnosis of airflow obstruction - does it matter for treatment? An international questionnaire survey and...

As emphasised by the recent international questionnaire survey, the absence of an agreed terminology in chronic non-specific lung diseases leads to much confusion and undoubtedly impairs communication between physicians. In each patient within the scope of CNSLD, the presence and combination of a number of basic features should be identified. The term bronchial asthma should be used when a number of features are present which are sufficiently characteristic to differentiate it from other forms of permanent airway obstruction. In non-asthmatic obstructive disease the term 'COLD' (or COPD), followed by some qualifying labels, seems preferable. Use of the term 'chronic bronchitis' should be restricted to refer as 'chronic mucus hypersecretion' or be abandoned.