How is BPD diagnosed?
It is important to exclude and treat medical causes for symptoms e.g. pulmonary embolus, cardiovascular, anaemia, neurological or undiagnosed respiratory diseases. The following tests could be part of the diagnostic process. All of these tests would be done by a specialist doctor, nurse, physiologist or physiotherapist
 |
Arterial blood gases: Normal O2 normal or low CO2. |
 |
Lung function testing, Hyperventilation Provocation test |
 |
Breath hold test |
Nijmegen Questionnaire
Score each symptom from 0 - 4
Symptom
Chest pain
Blurred vision
Dizzy spells
Feeling confused
Fast or deep breathing
Short of breath
Tightness across chest
Bloating in stomach
Tingling in fingers and hands
Difficulty taking deep breaths
Stiffness in fingers / hands / arms
Tight feeling around the mouth
Cold hands or feet
Palpitations
Anxiety
Chest pain
Blurred vision
Dizzy spells
Feeling confused
Fast or deep breathing
Short of breath
Tightness across chest
Bloating in stomach
Tingling in fingers and hands
Difficulty taking deep breaths
Stiffness in fingers / hands / arms
Tight feeling around the mouth
Cold hands or feet
Palpitations
Anxiety
SUB TOTALS
TOTAL
Never
0
0
0
✔
✔
✔
0
Seldom
1
3
1
✔
✔
✔
3
Sometimes
2
4
2
✔
✔
4
Often
3
9
3
✔
✔
✔
9
Very often
4
16
4
✔
✔
✔
✔
16
32
See example
A score of over 23 suggests a diagnosis of BPD
- View alternative text
-
Nijmegen Questionnaire Symptom Never Seldom Sometimes Often Very often 0 1 2 3 4 Chest pain Blurred vision Dizzy spells Feeling confused Fast or deep breathing Short of breath Tightness across chest Bloating in stomach Tingling in fingers and hands Difficulty taking deep breaths Stiffness in fingers / hands / arms Tight feeling around the mouth Cold hands or feet Palpitations Anxiety Sub totals Total A score of over 23 suggests a diagnosis of BPD
