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Child Using Nebulizer

Asthma

Objective testing, spirometry and FeNO requirements

Overdiagnosis concern

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Up to 30–40% of adults with a recorded asthma diagnosis may have had insufficient objective testing. A BJGP study found only 16.1% of children with an asthma diagnosis had it confirmed by spirometry.

 

The 2024 BTS/NICE/SIGN Guideline (NG245) now mandates spirometry and FeNO testing as core diagnostic steps.

Resources​

NICE/BTS/SIGN NG245 Asthma Guideline (2024)​

Current UK guidance. Mandates objective testing - spirometry and FeNO - for all patients with suspected asthma.

BJGP: Overdiagnosis of asthma in children (2016)​

Retrospective primary care analysis showing only 16.1% of children with asthma diagnosis had it confirmed by spirometry.

Lancet eClinicalMedicine: Asthma diagnosis comparison (2024)​

Prospective study comparing diagnostic pathway performance in adults with suspected asthma - NICE vs GINA vs ERS guidelines.

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