Early Life Risk Factors For Asthma Outcomes In A Cohort Of Young Adults

Introduction: Early life risk factors associated with different asthma outcomes of persistence, remittance and later-onset of asthma into early adulthood remain largely unexplored, despite the significant health burden of adult asthma on individuals and the community. Aim: This study aimed to identifying factors during infancy, childhood and adolescence associated with asthma outcomes in a community cohort of young adults. Methods: The 22-year Raine study follow-up included 1234 participants, with 1130 completing questionnaires included in data analysis. Questionnaires were also completed at ages 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, 18 and 20 and pulmonary function testing at 6 and 14 years. Persistent asthma was defined as having asthma by age 6 and also at 22 years. Remittent asthmatics had asthma by age 14, but not at age 22 years, and Later Onset asthmatics had asthma after age 14 years but not before. Never asthmatics never had asthma at any questionnaire from age 1 to 22 years. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with asthma outcomes. Results: Risk factors for persistent asthma included increased childhood BMI (OR 2.39, p=0.044), allergies (OR 15.85, p=0.011) and adolescent hayfever (OR 12.72, p=0.021). Risk factors for remittent asthma were childhood snoring (OR 3.07, p=0.010) and eczema (OR 5.37, p Conclusion: This study identifies several risk factors for asthma outcomes at age 22 years. This could lead to targeted intervention and treatment of children at risk for adult asthma.