@article {Lietz{\'e}n1360, author = {R. Lietz{\'e}n and P. Virtanen and M. Kivim{\"a}ki and L. Sillanm{\"a}ki and J. Vahtera and M. Koskenvuo}, title = {Stressful life events and the onset of asthma}, volume = {37}, number = {6}, pages = {1360--1365}, year = {2011}, doi = {10.1183/09031936.00164609}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {The status of stressful life events as a risk factor for asthma is unclear and may be dependent on pre-existing allergic rhinitis. This study examined whether exposure to stressful life events predicted the onset of asthma in adults. This is a prospective, population-based cohort study of 16,881 males and females, aged 20{\textendash}54 yrs and free of diagnosed asthma at the beginning of the follow-up (January 1, 2004). Data about stressful life events were gathered with a postal survey. The onset of asthma was ascertained through national registers until December 31, 2005. During the follow-up period, 192 incident cases of asthma were identified. High total exposure to stressful life events, as indicated by a cumulative severity score, predicted the onset of asthma (hazard ratio 1.96, 95\% CI 1.22{\textendash}3.13). This association was robust to adjustment for demographics, smoking and having a cat/dog at home and it was observed both among those with and without allergic rhinitis at baseline. Of the 10 most stressful life events, the illness of a family member, marital problems, divorce or separation and conflicts with a supervisor were associated with the onset of asthma. Our study suggests that stressful life events may increase the onset of asthma.}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/37/6/1360}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/37/6/1360.full.pdf}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }