PHYSICAL CAPACITY AND DYSPNEA IN PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS BUT NEGATIVE ASTHMA TESTS

Ten female patients with asthma-like symptoms but negative asthma test s (study group) were compared with 10 female asthmatics in an exercise test with and without pretreatment with beta(2)-stimulants. The aim w as to determine whether the asthma-like symptoms in the patients of th e study group could be explained by bronchoconstriction, circulatory a bnormalities, or physical unfitness when provoked physically, and whet her the exercise test could be used to distinguish these patients from asthmatics. Without pretreatment, the asthma group reacted with bronc hoconstriction, as indicated by postexercise systematic changes in PEF R, FEV1, FVC, and Sa(O2), which were not seen in the study group. The groups differed in the ratings of ''difficulty in getting air'', as on ly the asthma group had significantly lower ratings when pretreated. T he study group's mean test performance was 94 W; the asthma group's wa s 106 W. The low performance was not explained by disturbances in hear t rate, electrocardiogram, or blood pressure or physical unfitness. Th e exercise test was found to distinguish between the groups, especiall y for bronchoconstriction, oxygen saturation, and ratings of dyspnea. It could be used complementary to lung function tests to eliminate bro nchoconstriction, circulatory abnormalities, and physical unfitness as a cause of the asthma-like symptoms.