Impulse oscillometry (IOS) for detection of exercise induced bronchoconstriction in children with asthma ages 6–15 years

To determine the discriminatory value of various impulse oscillometry (IOS) parameters, and to find the cutoff value of the appropriate parameter for identifying exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in children with asthma. This cross-sectional study was conducted in India from October 2016 to March 2018 in children with asthma who were 6–15 years of age. One hundred and five children were enrolled and subjected to pre-exercise IOS and spirometry followed by free running treadmill test as an exercise challenge. All children could achieve minute ventilation &gt;17.5–21 times of FEV₁ during the exercise challenge test. Then, IOS and spirometry were performed at 10 ± 2, 20 ± 2, and 30 ± 2 min post-exercise challenge. EIB was defined as reduction of FEV₁ ≥10% within 30 min of exercise. For purposes of analysis, the children were grouped into two categories: “EIB Present” or “EIB Absent”. The prevalence of EIB in our study was 20.95% (<i>n</i> = 22). ΔR5max percentage within 30 min post-exercise (AUC 0.74; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.84) had the best discriminating capacity among all IOS parameters for identifying EIB. A cutoff value of 14.1% increase in R5 within 30 min post-exercise was obtained for detection of EIB (sensitivity—95.45%, specificity—50.6%, PPV—33.87% and NPV—97.67%). A percentage change in R5 with a cutoff value of 14.1% increase post-exercise had the best discriminatory capacity among all IOS parameters for detection of EIB in children with asthma. However, low positive predictive value (PPV) with high negative predictive value (NPV) made this cutoff value more apt to rule out EIB.