Risk factors for the persistence of respiratory symptoms in childhood asthma

R. J. Roorda, J. Gerritsen, W. M. van Aalderen, J. P. Schouten, J. C. Veltman, S. T. Weiss, K. Knol

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Abstract

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
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1490-1495
JournalAmerican review of respiratory disease
Volume148
Issue number6 Part 1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1993

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