Wheezing trajectories from childhood to adulthood in a population-based cohort

Background: Wheezing may lead to asthma and reduced pulmonary function in later life. The study aims to identify wheezing trajectories and investigate their relation with pulmonary function and asthma-related outcomes at 22 years of age.

Methods: Individuals from a population-based cohort in Brazil (1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort) with post-bronchodilator pulmonary function data at 22 years (3350) were included in the study. From parentally reported (4 and 11 years) and self-reported (15, 18 and 22 years) history of wheezing in the last 12 months, we used a group-based trajectory modelling approach to derive wheezing trajectories.

Results: Four trajectories were identified: never/infrequent, transient-early, late-onset and persistent wheeze. After adjustments, wheezing trajectories remained associated with lower post-bronchodilator values of pulmonary function. Individuals in the persistent wheeze trajectory had a markedly poorer pulmonary function and also showed greater odds of asthma-related outcomes compared to other trajectories groups. Those following this trajectory had on average -109 ml (95% CI: -188; -35), -1.80 percentage points (95% CI: -2.73; -0.87) and -316 ml/s (95% CI: -482; -150) lower FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC ratio and FEF_25-75% respectively; higher odds of self-reported medical diagnosis of allergy (OR 6.18; 95% CI: 3.59; 10.61) and asthma (OR 12.88; 95% CI: 8.91; 18.61) and asthma medication use (OR 9.42; 95% CI: 5.27; 16.87) compared to the never/infrequent group.

Conclusions: Wheezing trajectories, especially the persistent wheeze trajectory, were related to lower pulmonary function values and increased risk of asthma and allergy diagnosis in early adulthood.