An update on the diagnostic biomarkers for asthma

Asthma is a respiratory disorder accounts for ~339 million cases per annum. The initial diagnosis of asthma relies on the symptomatic identification of characters, such as wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough. The presence of two or more of these symptoms may be considered as indicative of asthma. The asthma-diagnostic also involves spirometry test before and after inhaling a bronchodilator like albuterol. Because asthma pathophysiology involves participation of immune system, the cytokines play an important role. The review discusses various molecules that are or may be used as biomarkers for the asthma diagnosis.