[Differential diagnosis of bronchial asthma]

Altogether 792 patients admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of bronchial asthma were under observation. The diagnosis was confirmed in 513 (64.8%) patients and was not confirmed in 279 patients. Of these, 148 (53.2%) were diagnosed to have chronic obstructive bronchitis, 80 (28.7%) a bronchospastic syndrome coupled with exacerbation of chronic (in 69) or acute pneumonia (in 11). In 25 (9%) patients, the clinical manifestations were associated with cardiac asthma attacks, 14 (5%) had tumors of the bronchi, trachea or metastatic lung lesions which gave rise to the development of the bronchospastic syndrome. Eight (2.8%) patients were diagnosed to have tracheobronchial dyskinesia, 1 primary lung emphysema, 1 hysteria, 1 pulmonary tuberculosis, and 1 a foreign body. Differential diagnosis between bronchial asthma and the bronchospastic syndrome is presented.