A positive methacholine challenge based on specific airway conductance: A case report

Abstract

Methacholine challenge tests only determine airway hyper-responsiveness to a nonspecific agent, and can be associated with relatively low sensitivity and specificity; therefore, they should not be used in isolation to diagnose asthma. Accordingly, alternative adjunctive measures of pulmonary function have been recommended in cases in which an individual cannot produce high-quality spirometry data. This report describes a case involving a 30-year-old man with a primary complaint of dyspnea with exercise. The ensuing discussion briefly reviews these alternative measures and the inherent limitations of the methacholine challenge test.