Choosing Wisely: Adherence by Physicians to Recommended Use of Spirometry in the Diagnosis and Management of Adult Asthma

Mild respiratory symptoms in asthmatic patients might not be due to bronchoconstriction

“…[13] Unfortunately, in spite of the availability of spirometers, few physicians use them for the evaluation of asthmatic patients in the outpatient clinic. [8]…”

“…[67] Few physicians use the spirometer to review their patients during their daily practice in spite of the equipment being available in their setting. [78] Furthermore, there is a paucity of information about the percentage of symptomatic asthmatic patients who attend the outpatient clinic with alternative diagnoses and without evidence of airway obstruction. The aim of this study was to determine patterns of spirometry in symptomatic, already diagnosed, asthmatic patients who attend the respiratory clinic for consultation or follow-up and determine the percentage of those who present with a nonobstructive pattern.…”

Identification of gaps in the clinical patient care of asthma in Spain. Results of the OPTIMA-GEMA survey

“…Los problemas relacionados con el uso de la espirometría son numerosos (5 y 9 ítems en adultos y niños respectivamente). Sokol y col 24 informan del uso de la espirometría en el primer año tras el diagnóstico únicamente en el 47,6% de los 134.208 asmáticos incluidos. Estratificando, los atendidos por especialistas la recibieron en el 80,1% y los de primaria solo en el 23,3%.…”

Office spirometry correlates with laboratory spirometry in patients with symptomatic asthma and COPD

“…Furthermore, lack of spirometry utilization has recently been shown to be an independent risk factor for severe exacerbations of asthma and COPD . Recent data suggest that while spirometry is underutilized in newly diagnosed asthma patients, use of controller medications in those diagnosed with asthma without spirometry is high . Clinical decision making alone without spirometry utilization may pose a risk of overdiagnosis and potentially overtreatment of patients with conditions that mimic asthma.…”