Medical screening of the athlete: How does asthma fit in?

Effect of Obesity on Asthma Severity in Urban School Children of Kanpur, India: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

The prevalence of both Obesity and Asthma is increasing worldwide. Various epidemiological data has linked obesity with the development and severity of asthma in children. The aim of this study was to assess if any relationship exists between obesity and asthma in children. The study population included school children aged 5 to 18 years. A total of 320 asthma cases and 300 controls were included in our study. Association analysis of obesity and asthma based on epidemiological basis was measured. Out of 320 cases, 61 children were found to have moderate persistent asthma. Out of 61 moderate persistent asthma cases, 50 children were selected randomly and divided into two groups. Group I included 25 obese moderate persistent asthmatics and Group II included 25 non-obese moderate persistent asthmatics. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory flow (FEF_25-75%), Peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured with spirometry and Peak expiratory flow meter. Statistical analysis was done by Odds ratio and p value. Out of 320 cases, 97 were obese and 223 were non-obese. Out of 300 controls, 46 were obese and 254 were non-obese. Exposure rate for cases and controls were 30.31% and 15.33% respectively. Odds ratio was 2.40. χ² value was 19.56 with p value < 0.05.FEV₁, FVC, FEF_{25-75%, PEF} for Group-1 were 66.3 ± 9.9, 63.5 ± 4.2, 54.2 ± 5.7, 67.4 ± 8.4 respectively and FEV₁, FVC, FEF_25-75%, PEF for Group-2 were 74.07 ± 3.5, 77.4 ± 7.2, 60.1 ± 2.1, 71.6 ± 2.4 respectively and p values were < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.05 respectively which is statistically significant. Children who are obese are more likely to develop severe asthma than those who were not obese.

Preparticipation Evaluation

Although the specific content has been recommended, debated, and extensively reviewed over the past several decades, the preparticipation evaluation (PPE) has become standard of care for athletes as they prepare for organized athletic participation. The PPE seeks to detect conditions that predispose the athlete to injury or limit full participation in certain activities. Of particular interest, underlying cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditions are sought because they are frequently associated with mortality and morbidity in athletes.

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in athletes-should we screen?

The fact that exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) may be both over- and underdiagnosed in athletes has led to calls for widespread screening for the condition. This article assesses such a strategy by employing the standard framework used when evaluating any screening policy. This approach highlights a number of concerns and allows recommendations to help optimize the success of such a strategy if it were to be implemented.