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Could routine spirometry suggest sensitisation in the military medicine setting?
Ignazio Cirillo1, F Gallo2, G Ciprandi3
1Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Italian Navy, La Spezia, Italy.
Introduction:
Providing evidence of sensitisation is the formal requirement for allergy diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether spirometry may be able to predict sensitisation in a representative cohort of Italian Navy military personnel.
Methods:
2043 (1875 men, 168 women, mean age 28.35±11.6 years) Italian Navy military personnel were enrolled into this study. Spirometry and skin prick testing were performed to predict sensitisation.
Results:
Sensitisation, assessed by skin prick test, was documented in 658 (32.2%) subjects. Impaired forced expiratory flow at the 25% and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25-75) as demonstrated on spirometry was detected in 82 subjects, of whom 69 were sensitised (P<0.0001). Impaired FEF25-75 was significantly associated with sensitisation (OR 7.43; 95% CI 4.04 to 14.66; P<0.0001).
Discussion:
The findings of this study suggest that impaired FEF25-75 may predict sensitisation in this cohort of Italian Navy personnel. This outcome is relevant in the military medical setting, as it could allow early identification of subjects with subclinical asthma.
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