The Prevalence of Bronchodilator Responsiveness "Asthma" Among Adult Indigenous Australians Referred for Lung Function Testing in the Top End Northern Territory of Australia.
Subash Shanthakumar HeraganahallyTimothy P HowarthAngus LloydElisha WhiteAntony VealeHelmi Ben SaadPublished in: Journal of asthma and allergy (2022)
BDR was higher overall among Indigenous in comparison to non-Indigenous patients; however, a significant proportion of Indigenous patients demonstrating BDR had evidence of underlying COPD/bronchiectasis. This study highlights that although presence of BDR among Indigenous people may indicate asthma, it may also be observed among patients with COPD/bronchiectasis or could represent asthma/COPD/bronchiectasis overlap. Hence, a combination of clinical history, LFT and radiology should be considered for precise diagnosis of lung disease in this population.