Korean J Med.
2011 Dec;81(6):723-728.
Association of Exercise-Induced Asthma with Atopy in Adult Patients with Asthma-Like Symptoms
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. ykjee@dku.edu
Abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS
Atopy is closely related to asthma and is a risk factor for the development and exacerbation of asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and atopy in adult patients with asthma-like symptoms.
METHODS
Forty young male patients with asthma-like symptoms were enrolled. Skin prick, methacholine bronchial provocation, and exercise provocation tests were performed. Current and ex-smokers were excluded.
RESULTS
Exercise provocation tests were positive in 21 patients (52.5%). Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine (85.7% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.007) and atopy (85.7% vs. 47.4, p = 0.017) was found more frequently in patients with EIA than in those without EIA. EIA was significantly associated with atopy score (16.5 +/- 3.0 vs. 6.5 +/- 2.0, p = 0.011), atopy index (2.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.3, p = 0.004), and positive responses to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (76.2% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.028) and Dermatophagoides farinae (76.2% vs. 36.8%, p = 0.012), but not with positive responses to pollen allergens. AHR to methacholine (odds ratio [OR]: 14.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86-109.4) and atopy (OR: 16.9, 95% CI: 2.04-140.74) were significant risk factors for EIA.
CONCLUSIONS
Atopy was a risk factor for EIA in young adult men, and sensitization to house dust mites was associated with EIA.
