RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Early respiratory infections and development of asthma in the first 27 years of life
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA3381
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA3381
VO 46
IS suppl 59
A1 Aino K. Rantala
A1 Maritta S. Jaakkola
A1 Elina M.S. Paaso
A1 Timo T. Hugg
A1 Jouni J.K. Jaakkola
YR 2015
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA3381.abstract
AB Background: Previous studies have reported contradictory evidence on the role of early childhood infections in the development of asthma and other allergic diseases in childhood, some suggesting protective effect mainly based on indirect evidence, while others have reported increased risk of asthma.Aims and Objectives: To investigate early-life infections as determinants of the development of asthma in a 20-year prospective cohort study.Methods: Information on upper (URTIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) was collected by a parent-administered baseline questionnaire from the preceding 12 months when the children were one to seven years old (Part 1, n=2228) and on LRTIs leading to hospitalization during the first six years of life from hospital discharge registry (Part 2, n=2568). The incidence of asthma was assessed by 6-year and 20-year follow-up questionnaires. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were estimated by Cox proportional hazard models.Results: Both URTIs (adjusted HR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.22-2.19) and LRTIs (adjusted HR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.48-3.00) in early childhood were strong determinants of development of asthma up to young adulthood. A declining age trend was present for both URTIs (P for trend < 0.01) and LRTIs (P for trend < 0.001). In Part 2 a significant risk of asthma was found in relation to LRTIs leading to hospitalization (adjusted HR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.10-3.38).Conclusions: The results provide new evidence that experience of respiratory infections in early life predict development of asthma through childhood to young adulthood. Respiratory infections in childhood seem to be harmful in relation to asthma.