Evaluation of Allergic Diseases, Symptom Control, and Relation to Infections in a Group of Italian Elite Mountain Bikers

Fabio Perrotta, Vittorio Simeon, Matteo Bonini, Luigi Ferritto, Laura Arenare, Ersilia Nigro, Ambra Nicolai, Aurora Daniele, Cecilia Calabrese

Risultato della ricerca: Contributo in rivistaArticolo in rivista

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study estimates the prevalence of allergic diseases in a group of Italian elite mountain bikers, compares the prevalence of infectious episodes between allergic and nonallergic athletes, and evaluates asthma and rhinitis symptom control in allergic athletes. DESIGN: Two hundred twenty-six Italian nonsmoking mountain bikers received by mail the Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes (AQUA) and completed it. The RhinAsthma Patient Perspective (RAPP) questionnaire was sent to the 108 participants with a positive AQUA score and 104 returned the questionnaire. METHODS: Athletes with an AQUA score ≥5 or <5 were defined AQUA+ (allergic) or AQUA- (nonallergic), respectively. RhinAsthma Patient Perspective questionnaire total score ≥15 was indicative of a poor control of symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 226 athletes, 47.8% were AQUA+, whereas 52.2% were AQUA-. A higher number of AQUA+ athletes reported frequent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and herpes labialis than AQUA- athletes (P < 0.001), and the prevalence of URTI was greater in the subgroup of AQUA+ athletes who trained ≥3 hours per session. According to RAPP questionnaire score, 21.1% of AQUA+ mountain bikers had a poor control of asthma and rhinitis symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a high prevalence of allergy among Italian elite mountain bikers whose asthma and rhinitis symptoms are poorly controlled in about a fifth of the sample. Allergic athletes, mainly those training more than 3 hours per session, are at higher risk of URTI and herpes labialis. Screening programs to detect allergic diseases and to evaluate symptom control in athletes should be strongly encouraged.
Lingua originaleEnglish
pagine (da-a)1-...
RivistaClinical Journal of Sport Medicine
DOI
Stato di pubblicazionePubblicato - 2018

Keywords

  • exercise, allergy, asthma, sport

Fingerprint

Entra nei temi di ricerca di 'Evaluation of Allergic Diseases, Symptom Control, and Relation to Infections in a Group of Italian Elite Mountain Bikers'. Insieme formano una fingerprint unica.

Cita questo