Differential Diagnosis of Adult Asthma
Adults are rarely seen in the ED with their first presentation of asthma and they usually are aware of their condition. A confident diagnosis of asthma cannot be made on a single visit to the ED and conditions that may mimic asthma (see below) acutely should be considered:
| Conditions that mimic asthma6 | |
| • COPD • Inhaled foreign body • Interstitial lung disease • Airway stenosis • Bronchiectasis • Heart failure • Lung cancer • Tuberculosis | • Congenital heart disease • Pulmonary embolism • Cystic fibrosis • Breathing pattern disorders/panic attacks • Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GORD) • Upper airway cough syndrome • Chronic cough syndrome • Pertussis |