Outcome in adulthood of asymptomatic airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine and exercise-induced bronchospasm in childhood.
BACKGROUND
Studies of the clinical outcome in adulthood of asymptomatic airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to histamine or exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) detected in childhood in general population samples are sparse and have produced conflicting results.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the outcome of asymptomatic AHR to histamine and EIB.


METHODS
Data from a 12-year follow-up study of a random population sample of individuals aged 7 to 17 years at enrollment were analyzed; only individuals without asthma at enrollment were included in the analysis. AHR to inhaled histamine, EIB, lung function, and sensitization to aeroallergens were measured.


RESULTS
Among the 281 nonasthmatic participants studied, 58 (22%) had AHR to histamine, 33 (12%) had EIB, and 82 (29%) had AHR to histamine and/or EIB. At follow-up, 37.9% of individuals with AHR to histamine and 30% of individuals with EIB had developed current asthma, compared with only 5% of individuals in whom these test results were negative. In patients with AHR to histamine, parental asthma (odds ratio [OR], 12.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-108.5), furred pets ownership (OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 1.2-19.6), and dermatitis and/or rhinitis in childhood (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-5.1) predicted the subsequent development of asthma, whereas no risk factors for the development of asthma could be identified in individuals with EIB CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic AHR to histamine and EIB in childhood predict the subsequent development of asthma in adulthood. A genetic disposition to asthma, furred pets ownership, and concomitant rhinitis or dermatitis increase the risk of asthma development in individuals with AHR to histamine.
Porsbjerg
Celeste
C
Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Porsbjerg@dadlnet.dk
von Linstow
Marie-Louise
ML
Ulrik
Charlotte Suppli
CS
Nepper-Christensen
Steen Christian
SC
Backer
Vibeke
V
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D003718:Denmark; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006632:Histamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests
D006632:Histamine