[Is aggressiveness really inhibited in asthmatic adolescents? An epidemiological approach]

Clinical data support the hypothesis that aggressivity is inhibited amongst asthmatics. The relationship of violence, as a marker of aggressiveness, to asthma was examined in a population-based sample of 12.466 students of secondary schools in France (Enquête sur la Santé de l'adolescent 1993/1994) using an epidemiological questionnaire on health status, life events, potential risk factors and disease management. Twelve percent of the students reported having had at least one episode of asthma, 4% had asthma attacks, and 1% had severe asthma at the time of the survey. Asthma had been confirmed by a physician in 81% of the cases. Acts of violence [fits of violence (21%), screaming when angry (30%), hitting when angry (45%), 'racketeering' (1%)] or sustained violence [physical aggressions (15%) and rape (4%)] were significantly related to asthma in past year when applying a logistic model including age, sex, ethnic group, socioeconomical status, geographical zone, and type of school as potential confounders (adjusted odds-ratios ranging from 1.26 to 1.87 and from 1.44 to 3.48 respectively). Similarly, violence was related to severe asthma. Results persisted after exclusion of individuals for whom asthma had not been confirmed by a physician. These findings strongly challenge the current hypothesis according to which aggressiveness is inhibited in asthmatic adolescents.