Current clinical diagnostic tests for asthma

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2014:795:75-80. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-8603-9_5.

Abstract

Asthma involves variable airflow obstruction in both large and small airways. The physiological consequences of obstruction include increased airway resistance and decreased expiratory flow rates, which lead to air trapping and dynamic hyperinflation. This chapter reviews current methods for pulmonary function testing to detect these physiological changes for both diagnosis and monitoring.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / diagnosis*
  • Airway Obstruction / immunology
  • Airway Obstruction / physiopathology
  • Airway Resistance / immunology
  • Asthma / diagnosis*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Bronchial Provocation Tests
  • Humans
  • Lung Volume Measurements / methods
  • Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / immunology
  • Spirometry / methods