title: The free-running asthma screening test: an approach to screening for exercise-induced asthma in rural Alabama.
abstract: This study documented the prevalence of exercise-induced asthma (bronchospasm) in rural elementary schools and described the use of a free-running asthma screening test (exercise-challenge) and peak expiratory flow rate measurements for screening in a school setting. Of 437 children screened, 25 (5.72%) had a > or = 15% decrease in post-exercise peak expiratory flow rate which is indicative of exercise-induced asthma. Absenteeism and poverty were associated with findings of exercise-induced asthma. Early detection of exercise-induced asthma in school-age children through screening would facilitate early treatment, enhance exercise-related activities, and decreases school absences.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Alabama in Huntsville 35899, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Heaman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Estes
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012572:School Health Services