A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shows that COPD-asthma patients might be diagnosed with a methacholine challenge test which may lead to better patient management, reports COPD News Today.
The methacholine challenge test measures airway hyperreactivity typical in bronchial asthma. The test requires patients to inhale nebulized methacholine that provokes bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the airways). The degree of narrowing is then quantified by spirometry. People with airway hyperreactivity will react to lower drug doses.
“The methacholine challenge test is a powerful tool to identify patients with COPD-asthma, the article concluded.
Methacholine Challenge Test May Better ID Asthma-COPD Overlap
