How is the diagnosis of asthma in older people established in clinical practice?

<b>What we need to know</b><br />• How is breathlessness perceived and defined in older people?<br />• What impact does breathlessness have on quality of life?<br />• Can history taking and physical examination be tailored to efficiently cover all the organ systems associated with<br />breathlessness?<br />• Can a self- or carer-rated questionnaire be used to identify asthma in patients with breathlessness?<br /> <b>What we need to do</b><br />• Develop self- and carer-rated questionnaires that measure change in function and quality of life before and after<br />treatment.<br />• Validate objective measures of physical function and airflow that are sufficiently sensitive to measure change with<br />treatment.<br />• Develop a diagnostic guideline in general practice that includes measures of mood and cognitive function and<br />involves carers where necessary.<br />• Provide rehabilitation and restorative care services.<br />