SIMPLE TRICKS TO CONFIRM OR RULE OUT "OTA" THAT IS OTHER THAN ASTHMA GROUP OR ALI THAT IS ASTHMA LIKE ILLNESSES
THUMB RULE OF ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS
ASTHMA IS A DIAGNOSIS BY EXCLUSION#
MEANS: asthma diagnosis shouldnot be made unless other causes that mimick like asthma or present like asthma, that is OTA or other than asthma diagnoses are excluded or treated.
once we under stand what is not asthma, its easy to be certain about what is asthma.
So even if no single test is diagnostic of asthma (asthma diagnostic spectrum varies widely), we have some simple clincial markers that help us suspect or treat OTA diagnoses.'
A pattern of repeated cough cold or wheezing or breathlessness is considered to be other than asthma; if any of the following issues or patterns exist and may require diagnostic evaluation or therapy before labelling or treating or counselling a patient or child as asthma,.
OTA:
STRONG SUSPECT
major criteria: most likely OTA if:
if most episodes come with fever
there is early night sleeping time discomfort but no early morning discomfort
there is obvious evidence of tonsilitis, adenoiditis, sinusitis, mouth breathing/nose block,foreign body inhalation, REFLUX
there is obvious evidence of other chronic disease like heart disease, renal disease, low calcium, microcephaly or failure to thrive or significant neonatal insult or delayed milestones'
CT evidence of persistant patch 3 months apart
CT evidence of specific lung disease
SUSPECT
minor criteria: may be OTA if:
age of onset less than 4 years
first episode
no family history
no known allergy or sensitivity
repeatedly requires antibiotics
doesnt respond to asthma line therapy or symptoms despite steroid use
symptoms lasting months despite therapy
IgE not raised, no eosinophilia
spirometry normal
xray no hyper inflation
AND IF ITS NOT OTA ITS MOST LIKELY TO BE ASTHMA.
ASTHMA IS A DIAGNOSIS BY EXCLUSION#
MEANS: asthma diagnosis shouldnot be made unless other causes that mimick like asthma or present like asthma, that is OTA or other than asthma diagnoses are excluded or treated.
once we under stand what is not asthma, its easy to be certain about what is asthma.
So even if no single test is diagnostic of asthma (asthma diagnostic spectrum varies widely), we have some simple clincial markers that help us suspect or treat OTA diagnoses.'
A pattern of repeated cough cold or wheezing or breathlessness is considered to be other than asthma; if any of the following issues or patterns exist and may require diagnostic evaluation or therapy before labelling or treating or counselling a patient or child as asthma,.
OTA:
STRONG SUSPECT
major criteria: most likely OTA if:
if most episodes come with fever
there is early night sleeping time discomfort but no early morning discomfort
there is obvious evidence of tonsilitis, adenoiditis, sinusitis, mouth breathing/nose block,foreign body inhalation, REFLUX
there is obvious evidence of other chronic disease like heart disease, renal disease, low calcium, microcephaly or failure to thrive or significant neonatal insult or delayed milestones'
CT evidence of persistant patch 3 months apart
CT evidence of specific lung disease
SUSPECT
minor criteria: may be OTA if:
age of onset less than 4 years
first episode
no family history
no known allergy or sensitivity
repeatedly requires antibiotics
doesnt respond to asthma line therapy or symptoms despite steroid use
symptoms lasting months despite therapy
IgE not raised, no eosinophilia
spirometry normal
xray no hyper inflation
AND IF ITS NOT OTA ITS MOST LIKELY TO BE ASTHMA.
