Is sensitivity of exercise testing for asthma in adolescents halved in the summer?
This study shows that the percentage of positive exercise challenge test results in the summer is half that of any other season. It is likely that the lower percentage of positive results for asthma in the summer reflects the lower sensitivity of the test during this season due to decreased asthma activity. We suggest performing exercise challenge testing only when patients are symptomatic. Physicians caring for patients with symptoms suggestive of exercise-induced asthma whose exercise test results are negative while asymptomatic should consider repeat exercise testing when their patients are symptomatic.
Perflubutane-based ultrasound accurately predicts the grade of hepatic fibrosis.