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Reported Exercise-Related Respiratory Symptoms and Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Asthmatic Children
Demet Inci1, Refoel Guggenheim1, Derya Ufuk Altintas2
1Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
|April 11, 2017
Summary
Reported exercise-related respiratory symptoms (ERRS) in children with asthma do not reliably predict exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Objective testing for bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) may be necessary for accurate pediatric asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Asthma Management
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Physical activity is crucial for asthma control.
- Exercise-related respiratory symptoms (ERRS) are often used to assess asthma.
- The predictive value of ERRS for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in children is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability of reported ERRS in predicting EIB in asthmatic children.
- To determine if subjective symptom reporting is sufficient for asthma management decisions.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 179 asthmatic children (aged 7-15).
- Children were questioned about ERRS and categorized into symptomatic (Group I) or asymptomatic (Group II) groups.
- Exercise challenge tests (ECT) were performed to assess for EIB.
Main Results:
- 64 out of 179 children had a positive ECT.
- No significant difference in positive ECT rates between symptomatic (48/134) and asymptomatic (12/45) groups (P=0.47).
- Sensitivity of ERRS for predicting positive ECT was 37%; specificity was 0.72.
Conclusions:
- Reported ERRS are poor predictors of EIB in asthmatic children.
- A significant proportion of children without ERRS still exhibited EIB.
- Objective measures of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) are recommended for pediatric asthma management.