Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and atopy in Tunisian athletes

BACKGROUND This study is a cross sectional analysis, aiming to evaluate if atopy is as a risk factor for exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) among Tunisian athletes. METHODS Atopy was defined by a skin prick test result and EIB was defined as a decrease of at least 15% in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after 8-min running at 80-85% HRmaxTheo. The study population was composed of 326 athletes (age: 20.8 +/- 2.7 yrs - mean +/- SD; 138 women and 188 men) of whom 107 were elite athletes. RESULTS Atopy was found in 26.9% (88/326) of the athletes. Post exercise spirometry revealed the presence of EIB in 9.8% of the athletes including 13% of the elite athletes. Frequency of atopy in athletes with EIB was significantly higher than in athletes without EIB [62.5% vs 23.1%, respectively]. CONCLUSION This study showed that atopic Tunisian athletes presented a higher risk of developing exercise induced bronchoconstriction than non-atopic athletes.