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Immediate and delayed bronchoconstriction after exercise in patients with asthma
The New England Journal of Medicine
|August 20, 1987
Summary
A delayed asthmatic response after exercise is uncommon in asthma patients. Most delayed responses observed were not specifically exercise-induced, suggesting other factors may be involved.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Exercise Physiology
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Exercise-induced asthma is a recognized condition.
- The occurrence of a delayed asthmatic response post-exercise remains debated in medical literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and nature of delayed asthmatic responses following exercise.
- To determine if observed delayed responses are specifically linked to physical exertion.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-three asthma patients with immediate exercise-induced bronchoconstriction were studied.
- Forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) was monitored post-exercise and during a control (non-exercise) day.
Main Results:
- Immediate decreases in FEV1 were observed in all patients post-exercise.
- A delayed asthmatic response occurred in 8 patients, characterized by a significant FEV1 decrease hours later.
- Similar delayed responses were noted during the control day, indicating they were not solely exercise-related.
Conclusions:
- A delayed asthmatic response after exercise is infrequent in patients experiencing immediate post-exercise bronchoconstriction.
- The findings suggest that factors other than exercise itself may precipitate delayed asthmatic responses in susceptible individuals.