Abstract
Background: Few population-based studies have prospectively evaluated remission of childhood asthma and factors related to remission.
Aims: To investigate remission and determinants of asthma remission from the age of 7-8 years to 19.
Methods: In 1996, a questionnaire about asthma and related conditions was distributed to all children 7-8 years old in three municipalities in Northern Sweden, and 3430 (97%) participated. After a validation study, 248 (7.2%) of the children were defined as having current asthma. The 248 children were reassessed by annual questionnaires until the age of 19 years where 205 (83%) participated. During the follow-up period spirometry, bronchial challenge testing and skin prick tests were performed.
Results: At the age of 19 years, 76 out of the 205 participants (37%) were in remission defined as no wheeze and no use of asthma medication during the last 12 months. A negative skin prick test at age 7-8y and male sex were significant predictors for remission, OR 2.1 (CI 95% 1.1-4.2) and 2.3 (CI 95% 1.2-4.1), respectively. Having rhinitis or eczema at age 7-8 years was negatively associated with remission. Neither heredity for asthma nor parental smoking or rural living was associated with remission.
Conclusion: Remission of childhood asthma in late teenage was common and related to absence of allergic sensitization and other allergic diseases. The higher rate of remission among boys contribute to the switch in boy-to-girl prevalence ratio, from asthma being more common among boys in childhood to being more common among girls/women later in life.
- © 2011 ERS