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Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate adult patients examined in general practice on suspicion of having asthma. Materials and methods: A total of 46 patients suspected of having asthma underwent a second specialist investigation, which demonstrated that 28 of them had asthma. Through interviews of patients and a questionnaire completed by the primary physician, information on diagnostic strategy, general practice diagnosis, suggested treatments and patients' knowledge about asthma was determined. Results: In 65% of the patients investigated for possible asthma in general practice, the specialist examination did not provide any major suggestions for changes, while one in every three patients would have benefited from a secondary specialist examination. The largest group was 7 of 18 patients who did not have asthma but who suffered from chronic or recurrent symptoms. Also, one in four of the patients with a final diagnosis of asthma would have benefited from a specialist examination because of uncertain diagnosis, disease severity and/or the possibility of allergen-specific treatment. The medical treatments suggested by the general practitioners followed modern treatment principles. Just over half of the patients with a final specialist diagnosis of asthma were familiar with the basic disease mechanisms, but only 7% of them would change their therapy in relation to disease severity without first contacting their physicians. Conclusion: Patients with chronic or recurrent symptoms should be referred to specialists more often, and patients who could potentially benefit from allergen-specific treatment, such as allergen prevention, should be evaluated by an allergy specialist. There is a need for increased patient education.

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