Predictors of the persistence of childhood asthma.
BACKGROUND
The factors relevant to the prognosis of childhood asthma differ from one population to another.


OBJECTIVE
To characterize the course of childhood asthma in the catchment area of our hospital, and to identify prognostic factors for this population.


METHODS
All children given a diagnosis of asthma in the paediatric pulmonology service of a tertiary hospital were followed up for 5 years.


RESULTS
Satisfactory control of asthma was achieved in 69 % of cases. The factors identified as associated with poor control were allergy to cats and pollen, a large number of crises in the year prior to diagnosis, and younger age at onset.


CONCLUSIONS
In our region, childhood asthma has a relatively favourable prognosis. The subsequent course of the disease appears to be determined in childhood. The persistence of symptoms appears to depend to a significant extent on the degree of atopy.
Cabanas Rodriguez
E R
ER
Departamento de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España.
Gonzalez Barcala
F J
FJ
Cabanas Rodriguez
P
P
Leis
R
R
Martinez
B
B
Cabanas
R
R
Valdes Cuadrado
L
L
Tojo
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000276:immunology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012882:Skin Tests; D013030:Spain; D014505:Urban Population