ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and atopy. METHODS: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) was defined by free running asthma screening test. Atopy was defined by serum total IgE level and skin allergen test. Airway hyperreactivity was determined by bronchial provocation test. For a matched pair study, all EIB and some non-EIB students received serum total IgE measurements, skin allergen test and bronchial provocation test. All data were calculated by correlation analysis to investigate the correlation between EIB and atopy. RESULTS: Totally 773 students participated in the free running screening test, and 89 students (11.5%) were diagnosed as having EIB. The serum total IgE level exceeded the normal range in 16 among the 89 EIB students, but in 10 among the 70 non-EIB students. Statistical analysis (χ(2) test) did not support the correlation between atopy and EIB. Fifty EIB students received bronchial provocation test, but only 1 showed airway hyperreactivity. CONCLUSION: There was no correlation between atopy and EIB, and airway hyperreactivity was absent in most of the EIB students.
