Prevalence and characterisation of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction in patients with exercise-induced dyspnoea

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of this condition in a selected study population of patients with exercise-induced dyspnoea.

METHOD: A retrospective analysis was conducted of demographic data, co-morbidities, medication, symptoms, performance level of sporting activities, continuous laryngoscopy exercise test results and subsequent treatment.

RESULTS: Data from 184 patients were analysed. The overall prevalence of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction in the study population was 40 per cent, and the highest prevalence was among females aged under 18 years (61 per cent). However, a high prevalence among males aged under 18 years (50 per cent) and among adults regardless of gender (34 per cent) was also found.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction is clinically relevant regardless of age and gender. Clinicians are encouraged to consider exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction as a possible diagnosis in patients suffering from exercise-induced respiratory symptoms. No single characteristic that can distinguish exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction from other similar conditions was identified.