Lung function testing for asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition usually characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lungs. In 2019, it is estimated that 262 million people were affected globally by asthma. Asthma is a prevalent and urgent concern: tragically, asthma caused 455,000 deaths in 2019 according to the World Health Organization.

Asthma affects every person differently. Cause, symptoms, frequency of exacerbations, and even how a person with asthma responds to commonly used therapeutics can vary due to asthma’s heterogeneity. To best manage asthma, exacerbations should be prevented or at least limited. Diagnosed using pulmonary function tests in conjunction with patient and clinician assessment of symptom progression, asthma exacerbations occur when a patient experiences a change in their symptoms and lung function compared to their baseline. Exacerbations, also commonly called “flare-ups” or more generally “asthma attacks,” are a leading cause of disease mortality. ^*Asthma can be exacerbated by environmental factors, such as viral infections,^*pollen, and even thunderstorms,^* meaning people with asthma in different conditions can be exposed or protected from various triggers. Evidence has shown that poorly controlled asthma is predictive of more severe pulmonary function decline,^*long-term exacerbation rate and mortality, ^*underscoring the importance of early intervention and prevention.

While the condition is common, it remains under-diagnosed and under-treated around the world. To overcome the problem of under-diagnosis of asthma, increased use of pulmonary function testing has been recommended in the literature,^* which would also prevent late diagnosis and, ideally early pulmonary decline. As of now, asthma is incurable, but with an early and accurate diagnosis and treatments, asthma can be generally well-managed.