Subjective and objective means of assessing cystic fibrosis and asthma.

The accuracy of methods of assessment was studied in 79 children with CF or asthma. Memory recall was good for CF but poor for asthma. In asthma, patients' subjective feelings and the physical examination were inaccurate in detecting airways obstruction. Of those who felt normal, 75% had abnormal FEV1. In order to avoid undertreatment the use of diary cards in asthma and pulmonary function tests in both diseases is recommended.