Lung functions after correction of scoliosis angle

In this study we evaluated lung volumes, volume changes relative to Cobb angle and correlation of volume changes with Cobb angle changes before and after the surgery. Eighteen non-smoker patients with idiopathic scoliosis were included in this descriptive observational study. Cobb angle, lung volume and flow were measured before and after the surgery. To assess height and weight changes during the follow-up period, we used the percent relative to normal [percent predicted] instead of absolute volumes. Eighteen of 30 selected patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 34.5 +/- 19.6 months. Dynamic volume changes of lung were: VC= -13.4 SD=8.6 [p < 0.005]; FVC=-9.22 SD=14 [p < 0.001]; FEV1=9.8 SD=15 [p < 0.001]. There was a weak correlation between the mean value of dynamic volume changes and the mean changes in Cobb angle after the surgery. There was a weak correlation between Cobb angle and dynamic volume of lung before the surgery. In this study there was a significant decrement of dynamic lung volumes after corrective surgery for thoracic curve scoliosis

Exercise - induced bronchospasm in soccer players

Exercise is one of the most prevalent predisposing factors of bronchospasm. Its symptoms may be merely due to physical activities. Clear understanding of exercise-induced bronchospasm is essential to eliminate complications and achieve more effective treatment. The study population consisted of Tehran soccer-players. In this clinical trial, four soccer clubs were selected by cluster random sampling. The means of data collecting included history taking, physical examination, and the performance of spirometry tests at rests as well as 5 and 12 minutes after exercise. One hundred soccer players were enrolled in this study with the mean age [ +/- SD] of 20 +/- 4.26 years old. The mean values of FEV1 +/- SD measured at 5 minutes before as well as 5 and 12 minutes after a ten-minute continuos exercise were 4.15 +/- 0.44, 4.13 +/- 0.5, and 4.12 +/- 0.49 liter respectively. These differences seem to be age related.12 minutes after exercise, 6 players have shown reduced FEV1 [15-17%] in respect of resting value [4.78 +/- 0.52 vs. 3.57 +/- 0.33]. The prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm was 6% in our study, comparable to 3-11% reported of others. The lower prevalence of exercise- induced bronchospasm in our study may be due to older study group, negative history of allergy and pulmonary diseases in our cases