Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults
Published on: February 9, 2022
Relations between clinical signs and lung function in bronchial asthma: how is acute bronchial obstruction reflected
Abstract:
To compare the degree of clinical manifestations and bronchial obstruction in acute asthma, we correlated lung function tests with the clinical symptoms in 33 patients during acute attacks of bronchospasm induced by specific and non-specific inhalation challenge tests and compared the results with similar challenge tests in 12 healthy subjects. It could be shown that about 60% of the patients did not reveal wheezing or dyspnoea despite marked bronchial obstruction, thus indicating a poor sensitivity of clinical symptoms in relation to the objective alterations in the lung function tests. We therefore conclude that the degree of bronchospasm may be seriously underestimated if it is related only to the subjective complaints and the physical sign of expiratory wheezing. In particular, during inhalative bronchial challenge tests the asthmatic airway reaction should be carefully monitored by serial or continuous lung function tests in order to avoid major complications.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

