The airway provocation test is used to measure airway responsiveness and is generally used in the detection of asymptomatic asthma.
Airway provocation test is a test that uses inhalation of a provocative substance to measure the reactivity of the airways. It consists of specific and non-specific airway provocation tests. The specific provocation test is less commonly used in routine testing because it can lead to significant asthma attacks, even severe ones, and is generally only used for occupational asthma.
Non-specific airway provocation tests are commonly used for asymptomatic asthma or recently asymptomatic asthma, and are suitable for the majority of patients as they generally do not have significant symptoms.
Patients with positive airway provocation test should be treated promptly to avoid the gradual development of severe asthma.