title: Exercise-induced asthma, respiratory and allergic disorders in elite athletes: epidemiology, mechanisms and diagnosis: part I of the report from the Joint Task Force of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in cooperation with GA2LEN.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the changes in the prevalence of asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and allergies in elite athletes over the past years, to review the specific pathogenetic features of these conditions and to make recommendations for their diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Task Force reviewed present literature by searching Medline up to November 2006 for relevant papers by the search words: asthma, bronchial responsiveness, EIB, athletes and sports. Sign criteria were used to assess level of evidence and grades of recommendation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The problems of sports-related asthma and allergy are outlined. Epidemiological evidence for an increased prevalence of asthma and BHR among competitive athletes, especially in endurance sports, is provided. The mechanisms for development of asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in athletes are outlined. Criteria are given for the diagnosis of asthma and exercise induced asthma in the athlete.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness is markedly increased in athletes, especially within endurance sports. Environmental factors often contribute. Recommendations for the diagnosis of asthma in athletes are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Voksentoppen, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Carlsen
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bjermer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brusasco
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Canonica
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cummiskey
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Del Giacco
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Drobnic
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haahtela
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palange
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Popov
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Cauwenberge
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees; D000818:Animals; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013178:Sports Medicine