Diagnostic tests for Asthma in firefighters in Bhuj

Dr. Vinayak Chauhan; Dr. Anand Chaudhary

Volume : V, Issue : XII, December - 2015

Diagnostic tests for Asthma in firefighters in Bhuj

Dr. Vinayak Chauhan, Dr. Anand Chaudhary

Abstract :

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction and onchospasm. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of eath. A questionnaire, spirometry, direct and indirect airway challenge tests, exhaled nitric oxide, and skin–prick tests were administered prospectively to 50 out of 60 firefighters employed in Bhuj, India. Asthma was defined as the combination of respiratory symptoms with airway hyper responsiveness. Ten out of 50 firefighters (6%) had physician–diagnosed asthma, which could be confirmed in 4 firefighters. In contrast, asthma was diagnosed in 14% (14 of 50 firefighters). Wheezing was the most sensitive symptom for the diagnosis of asthma (sensitivity, 78%; specificity, 93%). Asthma was considerably underdiagnosed in firefighters. The combination of a structured symptom questionnaire with a onchial challenge test allows to identify patients with asthma and should routinely be used in the assessment of active firefighters and may be of help when evaluating candidates for this profession.