Abnormal lung function at preschool age – asthma in adolescence?

Publication date: Available online 6 March 2018
Source:Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Author(s): Katariina Lajunen, Satu Kalliola, Anne Kotaniemi-Syrjänen, Seppo Sarna, L. Pekka Malmberg, Anna S. Pelkonen, Mika J. Mäkelä
BackgroundAsthma often begins early in childhood. However, the risk for persistence is challenging to evaluate.ObjectiveThis longitudinal study relates lung function assessed with impulse oscillometry (IOS) in preschool children to asthma in adolescence.MethodsLung function was measured with IOS in 255 children with asthma-like symptoms aged 4-7 years. Baseline measurements were followed by exercise challenge and bronchodilation tests. At age 12-16 years, 121 children participated in the follow-up visit, when lung function was assessed with spirometry, followed by a bronchodilation test. Asthma symptoms and medication were recorded by a questionnaire and atopy defined by skin prick tests.ResultsAbnormal baseline values in preschool IOS were significantly associated with low lung function, the need for asthma medication, and asthma symptoms in adolescence. Preschool abnormal R5 at baseline (z-score ≥1.645 SD) showed 9.2 odds ratio (95%CI 2.7;31.7) for abnormal FEV1/FVC, use of asthma medication in adolescence, and 9.9 odds ratio (95%CI 2.9;34.4) for asthma symptoms. Positive exercise challenge and modified asthma-predictive index at preschool age predicted asthma symptoms and the need for asthma medication, but not abnormal lung function at teenage.ConclusionAbnormal preschool IOS is associated with asthma and poor lung function in adolescence and might be utilised for identification of asthma persistence.



http://ift.tt/2G6zqQF