Exercise test using dry air in random adolescents: temporal profile and predictors of bronchoconstriction

• Background and objectiveGuidelines recommend exercise tests using dry air to diagnose exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Lung function changes subsequent to these tests have not been investigated in a general adolescent population, and it remains unknown whether signs of airway inflammation, measured using exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), can predict a positive response. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal aspect of decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) after an exercise test using dry air, and to investigate predictors of EIB.MethodsFrom a cross-sectional study on adolescents aged 13–15 years (n = 3838), a random subsample of 146 adolescents (99 with and 47 without self-reported exercise-induced dyspnoea) underwent standardized treadmill exercise tests for EIB while breathing dry air.ResultsOf the adolescents, 34% had a positive EIB test (decline of ≥10% in FEV1 from baseline) within 30 min. Of the subjects with EIB, 53% showed the greatest decline in FEV1 at 5 to 10 min (mean decline 18.5%), and the remaining 47% of the subjects showed the greatest decline at 15 to 30 min (mean decline 18.9%) after exercise. Increased FeNO (>20 ppb), female gender and self-reported exercise-induced dyspnoea were independently associated with a positive EIB test.ConclusionWhen assessing general adolescents for EIB with exercise test using dry air, there is a temporal variation in the greatest FEV1 decline after exercise. Therefore, lung function should be measured for at least 30 min after the exercise. Increased FeNO, female gender and self-reported exercise-induced dyspnoea can be predictors of a positive EIB test.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

adolescents

dry air

exercise induced bronchoconstriction test

exhaled nitric oxide

general population

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)