Given the current restrictions, should spirometry and other lung function tests for initial asthma diagnosis be performed?
Spirometry is essential for the diagnosis of new asthma cases as stated by the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. Therefore, it should be conducted, but under special conditions (negative pressure chamber,etc .) and only in areas with low SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence. Healthcare providers performing lung function testing need to wear maximum PPE (filtering face-piece particles 2 or 3 face mask, goggles, or disposable face shield covering the front and sides of the face, clean gloves, and clean isolation gowns), and the spirometer devices should be properly disinfected between patients.134 An alternative, less precise, is monitoring morning and evening peak expiratory flow variability over a week.135,136