title: Asthma prevalence in Olympic summer athletes and the general population: An analysis of three European countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some studies have shown a higher prevalence of asthma in elite athletes as compared to the general population. It is inconclusive to what extent certain sport categories are especially affected. The present study offered a unique opportunity to assess these differences in asthma prevalence in the general population and elite summer athletes from a wide range of sport disciplines across various geographical areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data for 1568 general population participants from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II and 546 elite athletes from the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network Olympic study from three European countries were analyzed. Using logistic regression, the asthma risks associated with athlete sport practice, endurance level and aquatic sport practice, respectively, were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Athletes in the highest endurance category had increased risk of doctor-diagnosed asthma (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.7-7.5), asthma symptoms (OR 3.0; CI 1.5-6.0) and asthma symptoms or medication use (OR 3.5; CI 1.8-6.7) compared to the general population. Aquatic athletes were at increased risk of doctor-diagnosed asthma (OR 2.0; CI 1.1-3.9), asthma symptoms (OR 2.6; CI 1.3-5.0) and asthma symptoms or medication use (OR 2.3; CI 1.2-4.4) when compared to individuals not involved in aquatic sports. Regarding the entire athlete population, no increase in asthma was found when compared to the general population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practice of very high endurance and aquatic sports may be associated with increased asthma risks. Athlete participation as such showed no association with asthma risk.
authors.affiliation: Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Munich (LMU), Ziemssenstrasse 1, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Munich (LMU), Ziemssenstrasse 1, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.affiliation: Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Munich (LMU), Ziemssenstrasse 1, Munich, Germany; Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), C/ Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Plaça de la Mercè 10-12, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3-5, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: nmueller@creal.cat.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Munich (LMU), Ziemssenstrasse 1, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ohlander
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), C/ Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Plaça de la Mercè 10-12, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3-5, Madrid, Spain; Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Otterstraat 118-124, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zock
authors.affiliation: Medical Services FC Barcelona and Sport Physiology, GIRSANE CAR, Av. Alcalde Barnils 3-5, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain.
authors.forename: Franchek
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Drobnic
authors.affiliation: Preventive and Rehabilitative Sports Medicine, Technical University Munich (TUM), Georg-Brauchle-Ring 56-58, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wolfarth
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Liesvei 65, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Omenaas
authors.affiliation: Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH), Mailbox 4014, Ulleval Stadion, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Trine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stensrud
authors.affiliation: Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Munich (LMU), Ziemssenstrasse 1, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nowak
authors.affiliation: Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Munich (LMU), Ziemssenstrasse 1, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Radon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D056352:Athletes; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Athletics; Endurance; Epidemiology; Exercise; Respiratory