Overdiagnosis of asthma in obese and nonobese adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is unclear whether asthma is overdiagnosed in developed countries, particularly among obese individuals, who may be more likely than nonobese people to experience dyspnea.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal study involving nonobese (body mass index 20-25) and obese (body mass index >/= 30) individuals with asthma that had been diagnosed by a physician. Participants were recruited from 8 Canadian cities by means of random-digit dialing. A diagnosis of current asthma was excluded in those who did not have evidence of acute worsening of asthma symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction or bronchial hyperresponsiveness, despite being weaned off asthma medications. We stopped asthma medications in those in whom a diagnosis of asthma was excluded and assessed their cl

SUBMITTER: Aaron SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2582787 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature