BACKGROUND: In elderly asthmatics, underdiagnosis is one of the most important feature. The main reason of underdiagnosis is thought to be decreases in complaining of symptoms by reduction of intellectual faculties or physical activity. Among various symptoms, wheezing is the principal clue in diagnosing bronchial asthma, and decreases in wheezing complaints are also noted in elderly asthmatics. The objective of this study is to determine whether decreases in wheezing complaints in elderly asthmatic is due to decrease in the development of wheezing or decrease in the perception of wheezing. METHODS: Sixty one young(20-39 years old), 68 middle aged(40-59 years old), and 65 elderly(older than 60 years) stable asthmatic subjects were studied. During methacholine challenge test, lung auscultation and questionnaire survey about presence and perception of wheezing were conducted. RESULTS: One hundred sixty nine patients (87%) developed wheezing during the methacholine challenge test. Development of wheezing during methacholine challenge test was not different between groups. The methacholine concentration, % fall in FEV1, and FEV1% at first detection of wheezing were not different between groups. Among the patients who developed wheezing, 47 patients (90%), 42 patients (74%), and 26 patients (46%) felt wheezing in young, middle, and old age groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the perception of wheezing are more decreased in elderly asthmatics compared to those in younger patients.