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- Title
How often is the diagnosis bronchial asthma correct?
- Authors
Marklund, B; Tunsäter, A; Bengtsson, C
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>There are studies indicating that bronchial asthma is often underdiagnosed, while only a little research has been conducted as concerns overdiagnosing asthma.<bold>Objective: </bold>We aimed to estimate the number of patients who have been given the wrong diagnosis of asthma.<bold>Methods: </bold>All patients aged above 18 years who had visited two GPs during 1994 or 1995, with the diagnosis of bronchial asthma confirmed in the medical register, were examined by a specialist in allergies.<bold>Results: </bold>One hundred and twenty-three patients fulfilled the criteria for being included in the study. Eighty-six patients (70%) attended the examination. Of these, 51 (59%) had bronchial asthma, six (7%) asthma in combination with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 29 (34%) no asthmatic disease.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>The study indicates that more accuracy is needed when diagnosing bronchial asthma.
- Publication
Family Practice, 1999, Vol 16, Issue 2, p112
- ISSN
0263-2136
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1093/fampra/16.2.112