The differential diagnosis of asthma and COPD is sometimes difficult. Recently, an overlap syndrome has been defined based on the concurrence of asthma and COPD characteristics. These characteristics are based on expert opinions and have never been investigated nor validated prospectively. The investigators assume that the management strategy, the symptom burden and disease progression will differ between asthma, COPD and ACOS. Therefore, the study wants to establish baseline criteria for an appropriate disease definition and evaluate the potential impact on treatment and symptom control.
This study aims to test a diagnostic algorithm for obstructive airways diseases that may be used in daily practice to obtain a correct differential diagnosis and, hence, initiate an adequate therapy according to the current guidelines. The proposed algorithm will be used to categorize patients in 4 different diagnoses with specific treatment choices: asthma, obstructive asthma, overlap asthma with COPD, and COPD. The study will evaluate which tests and criteria contribute most to the diagnostic work-up and final diagnosis. Test battery for diagnosis * spirometry with bronchodilator reversibility testing * bodyplethysmography: spirometry, volumes, resistance, diffusing capacity * exhaled NO * blood sample * CT scan of thorax (only when obstructive spirometry) * histamine challenge (only when spirometry is not obstructive) * induced sputum (not for protocol interpretation) Definition of endpoints 1. Physician based diagnosis: diagnosis based on clinical exam and spirometry 2. Algorithm based diagnosis: diagnosis based on clinical exam and test battery 3. Final standard diagnosis diagnosis based on clinical exam, test battery and clinical evolution of 1 year.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
180
An open label inhaled therapy is initiated once the diagnosis has been set based on clinical and testing criteria (algorithm). The treatment may be changed in function of the clinical evolution, which is left at the discretion of the general practitionar. Changes in treatment and treatment doses are registered during 1 year follow-up.
An open label inhaled therapy is initiated once the diagnosis has been set based on clinical and testing criteria (algorithm). The treatment may be changed in function of the clinical evolution, which is left at the discretion of the general practitionar. Changes in treatment and treatment doses are registered during 1 year follow-up.
An open label inhaled therapy is initiated once the diagnosis has been set based on clinical and testing criteria (algorithm). The treatment may be changed in function of the clinical evolution, which is left at the discretion of the general practitionar. Changes in treatment and treatment doses are registered during 1 year follow-up.
An open label inhaled therapy is initiated once the diagnosis has been set based on clinical and testing criteria (algorithm). The treatment may be changed in function of the clinical evolution, which is left at the discretion of the general practitionar. Changes in treatment and treatment doses are registered during 1 year follow-up.
An open label therapy or no therapy is initiated once the diagnosis has been set based on clinical and testing criteria (algorithm). The treatment may be changed in function of the clinical evolution, which is left at the discretion of the general practitionar. Changes in treatment and treatment doses are registered during 1 year follow-up.
UZ Gasthuisberg
Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
Accuracy of the proposed diagnostic algorithm
% changes of algorithm diagnosis compared to physician based diagnosis (based on spirometry only)
Time frame: after work-up at inclusion (at baseline)
Accuracy of the proposed diagnostic algorithm (at one year follow-up)
% changes of algorithm diagnosis compared to final diagnosis (based on all tests with clinical evolution for 1 year))
Time frame: at one year
Difference in ACT/CAT-scores
Difference of ACT/CAT-score between arms at 3 months
Time frame: 3 months
Difference in ACT/CAT-scores
Difference of ACT/CAT-scores between arms at 1 year
Time frame: 1 year
Difference in Delta ACT/CAT scores (0 - 3 months)
Difference of delta ACT/CAT-scores (0 - 3 months) between arms
Time frame: 3 months
Difference in Delta ACT/CAT scores (0 - 1 year)
Difference of delta ACT/CAT-scores (0 - 1 year) between arms
Time frame: 1 year
specificity and sensitivity of individual criteria for final diagnosis
ROC curve analysis for individual criteria in predicting final diagnosis
Time frame: 1 year
independency of criteria for final diagnosis
Logistic regression analysis for criteria in predicting final diagnosis
Time frame: 1 year
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