Risk factors for the persistence of respiratory symptoms in childhood asthma.
We studied the prognosis of childhood asthma in a cohort of 406 children 8 to 12 yr of age when enrolled. Subjects were followed for a mean of 14.8 yr after their initial evaluation, with a follow-up rate of 86%. The mean age at follow-up was 24.7 yr. We assessed the predictive value of sex and various childhood variables on the outcome of symptoms and medication use in adulthood. Although only 19% of subjects were still under a physician's supervision at the time of follow-up, 76% had respiratory symptoms, 32% used maintenance medication, and 22% used medication intermittently. The incidence of cigarette smoking was disturbingly high (33%). In adulthood, women were more likely than men to have symptoms (85 versus 72%, respectively). The childhood symptom severity and the childhood degree of bronchial responsiveness in combination with a low %FEV1 were also related to the outcome of asthma in adulthood. The high prevalence of symptoms in adults at follow-up coupled with the low rate of physician supervision and medication usage suggest that more aggressive treatment may be indicated in asthmatic children.
Roorda
R J
RJ
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Gerritsen
J
J
Van Aalderen
W M
WM
Schouten
J P
JP
Veltman
J C
JC
Weiss
S T
ST
Knol
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003371:Cough; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006632:Histamine; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012882:Skin Tests; D012907:Smoking
D006632:Histamine