Higher prevalence but later age at onset of asthma in cross?country skiers compared with general population

Cross-country skiing causes strain in the airways because skiers train and compete cold air. The aim of this survey was to investigate prevalence age at onset asthma, asthma control, use medication Finnish competitive cross-country skiers. All who were enrolled largest national competitions winter 2019 (n = 1282) invited study via Ski Association. A control group 1733) matched for responding by age, gender, region. response rate 27.4% 351) 19.5% 338) controls. 25.9% 9.2% controls (p < 0.001). Median (IQR) first asthma-related symptoms higher than (13.0 (8.25–16.0) vs. 8.0 (2.25–11.75) years, p 0.001), difference evident only after start career. Asthma Control Test (ACT) score with 22.0 (21–24) (19–24) 0.611), 89.0% 77.4% had well-controlled (ACT ?20). In 82.4% used regular inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), 80.2% bronchodilators. fixed combination ICS +long-acting ?2-agonist regularly 47.3% 22.6% 0.016). conclusion, is about 2.5 times higher, later compared mostly well controlled on maintenance treatment.