Impact Statement
Methacholine challenge is the most common method to detect airway
hyperresponsiveness in children. However, it is time consuming and could
be exhausting for patients. We aimed to develop a diagnostic tool for
predicting AHR in children with respiratory symptoms without obstructive
pattern. We identified tree pollen allergy, nocturnal cough, wheezing, a
FEF75 < 65% and a younger age as significant
predictors of AHR. This novel predictive tool might be used in children
suspected of having asthma, but without an obstructive pattern, and it
may decrease the need for bronchial provocation tests.