What are the sensitivity and the specificity of an expert medical history and examination in the diagnosis of validated occupational asthma?

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3

Free histories taken by experts have high sensitivity, but their specificity may be lower.

Evidence

Axon EJ, Beach JR, Burge PS , A Comparison Of Some Of The Characteristics Of Patients With Occupational And Non-Occupational Asthma , Occup Med , 1995 ; 45 : 109-111

Baur X, Huber H, Degens PO, Allmers H, Ammon J , Relation Between Occupational Asthma Case History, Bronchial Methachlorine Challenge, And Specific Challenge Test In Patients With Suspected Occupational Asthma , Am J Ind Med , 1998 ; 33 : 114-122

Koskela H, Taivainen A, Tukiainen H et al , Inhalation challenge with bovine dander allergens: who needs it? , Chest , 2003 ; 124 : 383-391

Malo JL, Ghezzo H, L'Archeveque J et al , Is The Clinical History A Satisfactory Means Of Diagnosing Occupational Asthma? , Am Rev Respir Dis , 1991 ; 143 : 528-532

Malo JL, Lemiere C, Desjardins A et al , Prevalence and intensity of rhinoconjunctivitis in subjects with occupational asthma , Eur Respir J , 1997 ; 10 : 1513-1515

Ricciardi L, Fedele R, Saitta S et al , Occupational asthma due to exposure to iroko wood dust , Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol , 2003 ; 91 : 393-397

Vandenplas O, BinardVanCangh F, Brumagne A et al , Occupational Asthma In Symptomatic Workers Exposed To Natural Rubber Latex: Evaluation Of Diagnostic Procedures , J Allergy Clin Immunol , 2001 ; 107 : 542-547