Uncontrolled asthma from childhood to young adulthood associates with airflow obstruction

Lung function development from childhood to young adulthood is important for lung health later in life. We investigated the association between asthma control and lung function from 8 to 24 years of age.

A total of 668 participants from the population-based BAMSE cohort study, with persistent or incidental asthma and between 8 and 24 years of age, were included. Asthma was defined as controlled or uncontrolled at each examination based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria. Dynamic spirometry was performed at 8, 16 and 24 years of age. Associations between uncontrolled asthma and pre-bronchodilation forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV₁/FVC ratio were evaluated with a generalised estimating equation model, as overall associations and at each examination. Unadjusted and adjusted (for sex, current asthma, allergic sensitisation, body mass index, smoking, smoke exposure, inhaled corticosteroid use) analyses were done; and were thereafter stratified by sex, elevated blood eosinophils (≥0.3×10⁹ cells·µL^-1), elevated F _ENO (≥25 ppb), allergic sensitisation and ever/never smoking.

Uncontrolled asthma was associated with a lower overall FEV₁/FVC z-score from 8 to 24 years of age (adjusted regression coefficient -0.11; 95% CI (-0.20 to -0.02; p=0.016). After stratification, this association was primarily seen among females (adjusted regression coefficient -0.170; 95% CI (-0.298 to -0.044; p=0.009) and participants with elevated F _ENO (regression coefficient -0.207; 95% CI -0.342 to -0.073; p=0.002), in contrast to males and participants with normal F _ENO.

Uncontrolled asthma is associated with airflow obstruction from childhood to young adulthood. This highlights the importance of active management of asthma during growth.