Question:

Has anyone heard of such a thing as "inducing asthma" for diagnostic purposes? A student, already known for creative excuses, claimed to have a doctor’s appt. which would involve "inducing asthma." I have asthma myself and can’t imagine such a procedure (if it is for real) would be of diagnostic value. KK

When an asthma diagnosis is in doubt, a methacholine challenge test can be administered. Five different levels of methacholine are administered; a 20% drop in lung function is a positive response and indicates the possibility of asthma. A negative response (<20% drop in lung function) rules out asthma. This test is not often given; its expensive and has to be administered in a medical setting with resuscitation facilities. Here’s a link: http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/library/scan/interp.htm  Interpretation of Positive Results of a Methacholine Inhalation  Challenge and 1 Week of Inhaled Bronchodilator use in  Diagnosing and Treating Cough-Variant Asthma JAMA Ellis

Response:

Has anyone heard of such a thing as "inducing asthma" for diagnostic purposes? A student, already known for creative excuses, claimed to have a doctor’s appt. which would involve "inducing asthma." I have asthma myself and can’t imagine such a procedure (if it is for real) would be of diagnostic value. KK

Response:

It is called a challenge test. They have you breath something to trigger wheezing. Heparin, methacholine, and cold air are frequently used. It is a more sensitive test than just doing spirometry alone. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone heard of such a thing as "inducing asthma" for diagnostic purposes? A student, already known for creative excuses, claimed to have a doctor’s appt. which would involve "inducing asthma." I have asthma myself and can’t imagine such a procedure (if it is for real) would be of diagnostic value. KK

Response:

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