Dataset Information

Strategies to alter the natural history of childhood asthma.

ABSTRACT: Asthma exhibits significant heterogeneity in occurrence and severity over the lifespan. Our goal is to discuss recent evidence regarding determinants of the natural history of asthma during childhood, and review the rationale behind and status of major efforts to alter its course.Variations in microbial exposures are associated with risk of allergic disease, and the use of bacterial lysates may be a promising preventive strategy. Exposure to air pollution appears to be particularly damaging in prenatal and early life, and interventions to reduce pollution are feasible and result in clinical benefit. E-cigarette use may have a role in harm reduction for conventional cigarette smokers with asthma, but has undefined short-term and long-term effects that must be clarified. Vitamin D insufficiency over the first several years of life is associated with risk of asthma, and vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of severe exacerbations.The identification of risk factors for asthma occurrence, persistence and severity will continue to guide efforts to alter the natural history of the disease. We have reviewed several promising strategies that are currently under investigation. Vitamin D supplementation and air pollution reduction have been shown to be effective strategies and warrant increased investigation and implementation.

SUBMITTER: Lee-Sarwar KA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5664210 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Strategies to alter the natural history of childhood asthma.

Lee-Sarwar K A KA Bacharier L B LB Litonjua A A AA

Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology 20170401 2

<h4>Purpose of review</h4>Asthma exhibits significant heterogeneity in occurrence and severity over the lifespan. Our goal is to discuss recent evidence regarding determinants of the natural history of asthma during childhood, and review the rationale behind and status of major efforts to alter its course.<h4>Recent findings</h4>Variations in microbial exposures are associated with risk of allergic disease, and the use of bacterial lysates may be a promising preventive strategy. Exposure to air ...[more]

PMID: 28079559

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectiveAsthma is a common chronic disease that imposes a substantial burden on individuals and society. However, the natural history of childhood asthma in a large population remained to be studied. This study aimed to describe the natural course of childhood asthma and examine the association between early life factors and childhood asthma.DesignA population-based cohort study.SettingThis study was based on the national registry data in Denmark.ParticipantsAll liveborn singletons in Denmark during 1995-1997 were identified and followed them till the end of 2009. Finally, 193 673 children were eligible for our study.ExposuresThe following characteristics were examined as potential early life factors associated with childhood asthma, including parity, maternal asthma history, maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal social status, delivery method and gender.Main outcomes and measuresAsthma cases were identified on the basis of hospitalisation for asthma and prescriptions for antiasthmatic medications. Asthma remission was defined as no hospitalisation or prescription recorded for 2 years. Cox proportional hazards' regression and logistic regression were used to evaluate the association between early life factors and the occurrence and remission of childhood asthma.ResultsThe cumulative occurrence rate of asthma in children aged 3-14 years was 13.3% and the remission rate was 44.1%. The occurrence rate decreased with age. Being female had a lower risk of asthma (HR: 0.72, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.74) and higher remission rate of asthma (HR: 1.18, 1.13 to 1.22), while maternal asthma was associated with a higher risk of asthma (HR: 2.15, 2.04 to 2.26) and decreased remission rate of asthma (HR: 0.79, 0.73 to 0.85). These patterns remained the same for early onset asthma.ConclusionsFemale gender had a lower risk of asthma and a better chance of remission, while maternal asthma history had an opposite effect. The early life factors may influence the natural course of childhood asthma.

Project description:BackgroundThe world's most catastrophic epidemic thunderstorm asthma event (ETSA) affected Melbourne in 2016. Little is known about the natural history of individuals affected by such extreme events.ObjectiveIn this single center prospective 3-year longitudinal study, symptomatology and behaviors of individuals affected by ETSA were assessed.MethodsStandardized telephone questionnaire was used to evaluate frequency of asthma symptoms, inhaled corticosteroid preventer use, asthma action plan ownership, and healthcare utilization. Questionnaires were administered at 12, 24, and 36 months after 2016 ETSA. Subgroup analyses of the 'current', 'past', 'possible,' and 'no asthma' subgroups were also conducted.ResultsTwo hundred and eight, 164, and 112 completed questionnaires were analyzed in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. Seventy to eighty five percent of respondents reported ongoing asthma symptoms in any given year, of which 20%-28% experienced weekly symptoms. Nearly 50% of respondents were prescribed preventers, with approximately 45% adherent at least 5 days a week. Less than 40% had an asthma action plan and 15%-20% sought urgent medical attention for asthma over the follow-up period. Among 106 individuals with 3 consecutive years of completed questionnaires, those with no prior doctor diagnosis of asthma were significantly more likely to be asymptomatic on follow-up than those with a prior doctor diagnosis of asthma (p = 0.02). Subgroup analyses suggest that large proportions of respondents with 'past' and 'no asthma' continue to remain symptomatic throughout the 36-month period.ConclusionIn individuals affected by ETSA, we found evidence of ongoing loss of asthma control in those with previously well controlled asthma, and the persistence of symptoms suggestive of asthma in those with no history or symptoms suggestive of prior asthma, even after 36 months from initial ETSA. Low rates of inhaler adherence and asthma action plan ownership may contribute to increased morbidity and mortality from future ETSA events. Further research is required to confirm these findings.

Dataset Information

Strategies to alter the natural history of childhood asthma.

Publications

Strategies to alter the natural history of childhood asthma.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets