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Characterization of the duration from onset of asthma symptoms to asthma disease

Molly Martyn1, Amy L Weaver, Robert M Jacobson

  • 1Mayo Medical School, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
|July 3, 2008
PubMed

Insights

The time from first asthma symptoms to diagnosis varies, influenced by factors like pets and exercise. This duration doesn't always align with known asthma risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Environmental Health
  • Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

  • Understanding the progression of childhood asthma from symptom onset to formal diagnosis is limited.
  • Factors influencing the time lag between initial asthma symptoms and the medical record index date are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the duration between the onset of asthma symptoms and the index date of asthma diagnosis.
  • To identify factors associated with this duration in children.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 839 children (aged 5-12 years) from a prior study was analyzed.
  • Medical records were reviewed to establish the onset of asthma symptoms and the index date of asthma diagnosis.
  • Statistical analysis evaluated associations between various factors and the duration from symptom onset to diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • 222 children met asthma criteria. Median age at symptom onset was 5.6 years, and at diagnosis was 7.6 years.
  • The median duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was 2.9 months (mean 17.2 months).
  • Factors associated with a shorter duration included having a pet, exercise-induced symptoms, younger age at symptom onset, and more severe asthma.

Conclusions:

  • The time from asthma symptom onset to diagnosis in children is variable and influenced by host and environmental factors.
  • This duration is not consistently correlated with established risk factors for asthma incidence or severity.
Abstract

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