[Risk factors for persistent and relapsed childhood-onset asthma].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to identify factors responsible for childhood-onset persistent asthma and childhood-onset asthma relapsing in adulthood.


METHODS
We compared a number of potential risk factors for asthma among 608 patients with childhood-onset persistent asthma (onset at 15 years of age or younger) and 286 patients with childhood-onset asthma (onset at 20 years or younger) that had relapsed after a period of remission longer than 2 years.


RESULTS
Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the factors associated with childhood-onset persistent asthma were a past or present history of allergic rhinitis (p=0.001) and high serum total IgE concentration (> or =300 IU/ml; p=0.007). The factors associated with relapse of childhood-onset asthma were female sex (p=0.001), younger onset age (p=0.036), and smoking (current or former; p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that a past or present history of allergic rhinitis and high serum IgE level are significant risk factors for childhood-onset persistent asthma, and that female sex and a history of smoking are risk factors for relapse of childhood-onset asthma. Fortunately, exposure to tobacco smoke is a controllable risk factor.
Tsukioka
Kazuharu
K
Niigata Allergic Disease Research Institute/Tsukioka Clinic for Internal Medicine. sora.8.tsukioka@bj.wakwak.com
Toyabe
Shin-ichi
S
Akazawa
Kouhei
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D012008:Recurrence; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D007073:Immunoglobulin E