diagnosis and management

Question 1

what is EIB

Answer 1

transient narrowing of the airways in association with physical activity

Question 2

Explain why elite endurance athletes may be susceptible to the
development of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) (3 marks)

Answer 2

Chronic high ventilation in noxious environments (1 mark)

Airway injury-recycling, airway inflammation and structural airway remodelling (1 mark)

Concept supported by higher prevalence in elite swimmers and cold-air athletes (1 mark)

Question 3

Describe the application and difference between direct and indirect
bronchoprovocation challenges (3 marks)

Answer 3

Bronchoprovocation challenges are used in clinical practice for the diagnosis of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) (1 mark)

Direct challenges act directly on airway smooth muscle independent of inflammation (1 mark)

Indirect challenges cause inflammatory cells to release mediators to provoke airway smooth muscle constriction (1 mark)