For a study, it was determined that since there were no distinguishing signs that could differentiate hypersensitivity pneumonitis from other interstitial lung illnesses, diagnosing it remained a big challenge. The current function of the specific inhalation challenge (SIC) in the diagnosis of the condition was discussed by the researchers for a study. In recent years, there have been few accounts of the use of SIC for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In reality, because there was no consensus on the diagnostic value of SIC, hypersensitivity pneumonitis was still diagnosed based on the clinical criteria. Two major reviews published in the last year concluded that the test was not standardized and was usually unnecessary; however, a third study discovered that the test could indeed recreate the symptoms and functional abnormalities in the laboratory, and thus might be of significant use in the diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
The diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was quite difficult. Given that the fundamental etiology of the disease is sensitization and hyper-responsiveness to certain antigens in susceptible people, SIC appeared to be an ideal option for gold standard diagnosis of the entity. Researchers examined the causes for the test’s restricted use, evaluated its diagnostic usefulness, and suggested a foundation for its standardization.
Reference:journals.lww.com/co-allergy/Abstract/2013/04000/The_use_of_specific_inhalation_challenge_in.6.aspx
