Over half of asthma patients over-diagnosed, study suggests

According to a Dutch study published in the British Journal of General Practice, at least half of children diagnosed with asthma are ‘unlikely’ to have the respiratory condition.

The research examined 652 children who had been diagnosed with asthma or were receiving treatment for the condition and found only 105 had had the disease confirmed by spirometry.

The findings follow previous research which has indicated that asthma in children may be over-diagnosed, however, this is the first study to asses the extent to which the incidence occurs.

The research found that the main reasons for diagnosing asthma without confirming it with appropriate lung function tests were dyspnoea, cough and wheezing.

It explained: “Over-diagnosis of childhood asthma is common in primary care, leading to unnecessary treatment, disease burden, and impact on quality of life. However, only in a small percentage of children is a diagnosis of asthma confirmed by lung function tests.”

“To avoid overtreatment, medicalisation, and anxiety in parents, a more structured diagnostic strategy including lung function testing in children under suspicion of having asthma is warranted.”

Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said, “Asthma is an extremely distressing condition affecting one in 11 children. There is, however, no single test that can definitively diagnose asthma, and this can make it difficult to do in primary care, particularly when some common symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses.”

She added: "Some useful diagnostic tests are already available in primary care in the UK, but we need increased investment so that we can broaden access to this equipment and undergo the training necessary.”