Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in relation to seasonal and perennial specific IgE in young adults

We investigated the relationship between exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) and specific IgEs for seasonal (S-IgE) and perennial (P-IgE) allergens. The study, outside the main pollen season, was conducted on 289 20-year-old soldiers, who completed a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 289 subjects had S-IgE and P-IgE measured. The population was divided into subjects with (n = 166) and without (n = 123) history of atopic diseases (HAD). Twenty-three of 289 subjects (8%) had asthma, 70/289 (24%) allergic rhinitis, and 92/289 (32%) atopic siblings. Measured EIB was found in 17/289 subjects (6%). They had significantly higher levels of S-IgE and P-IgE than those without measured EIB (respectively, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The odds ratios of having EIB were significantly increased in the entire population in relationship with an increase in both S-IgE and P-IgE (chi-square test for trend = 9.4 and 12.7, P < 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Interestingly, this highly significant relationship remained true when considering only the no HAD group (chi-square test = 7.4 and 8.8, P < 0.006 and 0.003, respectively). Outside the pollen season, EIB was highly related to the level of both specific seasonal and perennial IgEs in the total population and in the subjects without HAD. This suggests that even in young adults who have been asymptomatic throughout their life EIB appears to be closely linked to seasonal or perennial allergic diathesis as measured by specific IgEs.