Over-and under-diagnosis in asthma

Abstract

Asthma is extremely common with a prevalence of approximately 10% in Europe. It presents with symptoms which have a broad differential diagnosis and examination can be entirely normal. There is no agreed gold standard to diagnose asthma, and the objective tests that can aid diagnosis are often poorly available to primary care physicians. There is evidence that asthma is widely misdiagnosed. Overdiagnosis leads to unnecessary treatment and a delay in making an alternative diagnosis. Underdiagnosis risks daily symptoms, (potentially serious) exacerbations and long-term airway remodelling. An agreed standardised approach to diagnosis, with inclusion of objective measurements prior to treatment, is required to reduce misdiagnosis of asthma.