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. 2019 Sep 15:2019:1514353.
doi: 10.1155/2019/1514353. eCollection 2019.

The Prevalence of Asthma and Respiratory Symptoms among Cross-Country Skiers in Early Adolescence

E Lennelöv  1 , T Irewall  1 , E Naumburg  2 , A Lindberg  3 , N Stenfors  1
Affiliations

The Prevalence of Asthma and Respiratory Symptoms among Cross-Country Skiers in Early Adolescence

E Lennelöv et al. Can Respir J. .

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms among Swedish cross-country skiers in early adolescence in comparison to a population-based reference group of similar ages.

Methods: A postal questionnaire on asthma, asthma medication, allergy, respiratory symptoms, and physical activity was distributed to Swedish competitive cross-country skiers aged 12-15 years (n = 331) and a population-based reference group (n = 1000). The level of asthma control was measured by the Asthma Control Test.

Results: The response rate was 27% (n = 87) among skiers and 29% (n = 292) in the reference group. The prevalence of self-reported asthma (physician-diagnosed asthma and use of asthma medication in the last 12 months) and the prevalence of reported wheezing during the last 12 months were 23% and 25%, respectively, among skiers, which were significantly higher than the values reported in the reference group (12% and 14%). Skiers exercised more hours/week than the reference group. Among adolescents with self-reported asthma, neither the usage of asthma medications nor the level of asthma control according to the Asthma Control Test differed between skiers and the reference group.

Conclusions: Adolescent competitive cross-country skiers have an increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma compared to nonskiers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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