Determination of the prevalence of bronchial asthma (BA) and development of an effective protocol to detect BA in japanese elite athletes. Issue 4 (27th March 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dohi, M; Komatsu, Y; Yamasawa, F; Akama, T; Watanabe, K; Hasegawa, A; Hirashima, M; Fujita, Y; Ota, K; Kawahara, T
• Is Part Of: British journal of sports medicine. Volume 45:Issue 4(2011)
• Page Start: 318
• Page End: 318
• Publication Date: 2011-03-27
• Subjects: Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2011.084038.23
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-3674

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The prevalence of bronchial asthma (BA) including exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and airway hyperresponsivenss (AHR) is increasing not only among normal population but also among athletes and prevention of these attacks are just as life saving and crucial for the athlete. The negative impact on athletic performance and the effect of inhaled corticosteroids and ƒÀ2-agonists are factors to providing prevention strategies in these athletes. Objective: To determine the prevalence of BA (including silent BA) and develop an effective protocol to detect BA and provide preventive measures in elite athletes. Methods: Asthma questionnaires and spirometry were conducted for all regardless of their clinical history. Bronchodilator tests were administered to those who met our criteria of past history, suspicious symptoms, values of FEV1%, and concave shape of flow-volume curves. Bronchial provocation tests were held to detect EIB and AHR in some athletes with suspicious symptom. IOC-criteria were used to consider those tests to be positive. Diagnosis of BA was made by consideration of all factors. Participants: 347 male and 305 female Japanese elite athletes participating at the Beijing Olympic Games 2009 and the Vancouver Olympic Games 2010. Main outcome measurements: Detecting BA and silent BA is important to prevent BA attacks and begin early intervention strategies in elite athletes in view of their performance and doping violence. Results: 21 athletes met IOC criteria in bronchodilator test. The provocation test was positive for asthma in four cases. The prevalence of BA among Japanese elite athletes was 12.1%. Number of Asymptomatic athletes diagnosed as BA reached to 2.9%. Conclusion: The prevalence of BA among Japanese elite athletes is similar to prevalence of athletes reported and our protocol can sufficiently detect BA and silent BA as well.