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>