Background. Asthma is common in elite athletes. In this study, we examined the use of asthma medication and asthma control in\nendurance athletes in Sweden and compared the findings with those in a reference group of patients with asthma. Methods. The\nAsthma Control Test (ACT) and a questionnaire on asthma, respiratory symptoms, and medication use were posted to endurance\nathletes (n 711) and the reference group of patients with asthma (n 1026). Four hundred and sixty-nine athletes (66%)\nresponded, of whom 141 (20%) reported physician-diagnosed asthma. In the reference group, 397 (39%) responded. Results.\nSeventy-seven percent of the athletes with asthma reported using asthma medication during the previous year; 39% used\nshort/long-acting �²2-agonists, 31% used inhaled corticosteroids, and 31% used both daily. According to the ACTscores, 19%, 24%,\nand 58% of athletes with asthma had uncontrolled, partially controlled, or well-controlled asthma, respectively. After adjustment,\nthere was no difference in ACTscores or daily use of asthma medication between the study groups. Conclusions. Many endurance\nathletes had uncontrolled or partially controlled asthma, and one-third used inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting �²2-agonists\ndaily. Their adjusted ACT scores and use of asthma medication were similar to the values in the reference population.
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