One in three people diagnosed with asthma DON’T have the condition – but could have something more serious
Experts say patients are being wrongly diagnosed, or are "spontaneously" recovering
A THIRD of people recently diagnosed with asthma do not actually have the condition, a study found.
Experts say patients are being wrongly diagnosed or are “spontaneously” recovering.
Researchers conducted detailed breathing tests on 613 adults who had been diagnosed with asthma by a doctor in the past five years.
Some 20 to 33 per cent – were found not to have it.
And more than nine in 10 of this group were able to stop their asthma medication and safely remain off it for at least a year.
Study leader Professor Shawn Aaron, from the University of Ottawa, said: “It’s impossible to say how many of these patients were originally misdiagnosed with asthma, and how many have asthma that is no longer active.
“What we do know is that they were all able to stop taking medication that they didn’t need - medication that is expensive and can have side effects.”
Overall, eight out of 10 patients who did not have asthma had been taking medication for it, while 35 per cent took it every day.
The most common form of asthma medication is an inhaler but some people also need to take tablets.
Doctors wouldn’t diagnose diabetes without checking blood sugar levels, or a broken bone without ordering an X-ray. But for some reason, many doctors are not ordering the spirometry tests that can definitely diagnose asthma
Dr Shawn Aaron
Side-effects of some of the medication, such as steroids, include high blood pressure, stomach upsets and lower resistance to infection.
The study also found that of those patients originally diagnosed with asthma, 49 per cent had not undergone the required airflow tests, known as spirometry, to ensure the diagnosis was correct.
Instead, doctors had used their own observations and the patient’s description of their symptoms to make a diagnosis.
Spirometry measures how much air you can breathe out in one forced breath.
Those patients found not to have asthma most often had other conditions instead.
These included allergies or heartburn, while 28 per cent had nothing wrong with them at all.
Some 2 per cent had serious conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
In the UK, around 5.4 million people are currently receiving treatment for asthma - one in every 12 adults and one in every 11 children.
Dr Aaron said: “Doctors wouldn’t diagnose diabetes without checking blood sugar levels, or a broken bone without ordering an X-ray.
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“But for some reason, many doctors are not ordering the spirometry tests that can definitely diagnose asthma.
“It wasn't a surprise to most patients when we told them they didn't have asthma.
“Some knew all along that their puffer wasn't working, while others were concerned that they might have something more serious.
“Thankfully, the majority of the conditions were mild and easily treated.”
The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Dr Andy Whittamore, from the charity Asthma UK, said: “Asthma is a chronic condition with many complex causes which is why diagnosis may be difficult.
“Asthma is also a highly variable condition that can change throughout someone’s life or even week by week, meaning treatment also needs to change over time.
“While some people may experience a remission in their asthma, symptoms may reoccur later and people should remain vigilant and aware of any new symptoms that may indicate a flare up of asthma.
“It is vital that no one with an asthma diagnosis stops taking their medication without discussions with their doctor first.”