PROBLEMS AND METHODS OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF DYSPNEA

Dyspnea is one of the most common and clinically significant symptoms and often prompts patients to seek medical attention from specialists of various disciplines. This article presents epidemiological data demonstrating the high prevalence of this symptom in the general population, underscoring its relevance in contemporary clinical practice. Particular attention is paid to approaches for the differential diagnosis of dyspnea of unknown etiology, including symptom assessment, medical history collection, physical examination, chest radiography, computed tomography, echocardiography, lung ultrasound, and measurement of natriuretic peptide levels. Both the diagnostic advantages and limitations associated with the use of each of these methods are described. A separate section is devoted to remote dielectric sensing (ReDS), a promising non-invasive method that enables quantification of fluid content in lung tissue. Integration of ReDS into diagnostic algorithms contributes to more accurate identification of the etiology of dyspnea, facilitating timely therapeutic decision-making and improving clinical outcomes. The high diagnostic performance and clinical utility of this technology are supported by data from multiple clinical studies. The article highlights the importance of integrating diverse diagnostic approaches and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance diagnostic accuracy and optimize treatment in patients with dyspnea. Such a multidisciplinary strategy enables a more comprehensive understanding of the symptom’s pathogenesis, allows for consideration of individual patient characteristics, and supports the selection of the most appropriate management strategy aimed at improving quality of life and prognosis.