ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is transient narrowing of lower respiratory tract airways after exercise. It affects about 5 to 20 % of healthy individuals and 80% of Asthmatics. Obesity has been considered as one of the risk factor to the development of EIB. Symptoms of EIB are nonspecific and can be seen in a variety of disorders and studies have shown a lack of diagnosis specificity and sensitivity based on symptoms. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate frequency of EIB in Medical students of Govt. Medical College Miraj. We also tried to find out association of body mass index (BMI) with EIB. We also tried to find out correlation of subjective feeling of breathlessness (symptom of EIB) with actual findings of spirometry tests used to asses EIB. METHOD: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 80 male medical students. Exercise challenge test was conducted for participants. Pre and post-test values of Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were compared and students with ≥ 10% decrease in post-test FEV1 & PEFR were considered positive cases of exercise induced bronchoconstriction. Statistical analysis was done by using software, IBM-SPSS VER 20. RESULT:In our study frequency of EIB in medical students was 6.4%. Decrease in post-test FEV1 and PEFR values were statistically significant with Pvalue < 0.001. Our findings show that there was no association between BMI and EIB. Our study results also reveal strong correlation between subjective feeling of breathlessness measured in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) and objective spirometry tests used to assess EIB. CONCLUSION: EIB is one of the major problems to be addressed as increasing frequency of EIB in healthy population could pose a threat when people attempt exercise training for their health benefits. Proper care with physician's consultation can minimize undue risks associated with EIB in healthy people.