Asthma Diagnosis

Asthma misdiagnosis is a major problem, with both overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis reported. Clinical utility and cost-effectiveness still need evaluation before home testing is widely implemented. Asthma diagnosis should not rely only on symptoms because symptoms are often non-specific. One-off clinic tests can miss asthma because symptoms and airway physiology vary over time. Guidance recognises that asthma diagnostic tests should be performed when patients are symptomatic or in the morning where possible.