Sex Differences in Baseline Risk Factors for Asthma Between Early Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
• Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases
• Adolescent and Adult Health

Background:

• Sex differences in asthma prevalence and age association are documented.
• Prospective investigation of asthma, wheeze, rhinitis, and allergic symptom development is needed.
• Understanding sex-specific risk factors for adult-onset asthma is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively investigate the development of asthma, wheeze, rhinitis, and allergic symptoms from adolescence into adulthood.
• To determine if sex modifies the association between baseline risk factors and the incidence of asthma in early adulthood.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study (Screening Project Asthma in Schools - SPAIS) with 491 adolescents (12-15 years at baseline).
• Standardized respiratory questionnaires, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and lung function (FEV1) measured at baseline, 4, and 16 years.
• Analysis of sex-specific associations between baseline factors and incident asthma.

Main Results:

• Asthma and wheeze prevalence increased significantly in females over 16 years, but not in males.
• Rhinitis and allergy symptoms increased steadily in both sexes.
• Higher FeNO and family history of asthma predicted incident asthma in males, but not females.

Conclusions:

• Respiratory symptoms increased significantly in females between late adolescence and young adulthood.
• Allergic risk factors identified in early adolescence predicted adult-onset asthma in males, but not females.
• Clinical practice should consider sex-specific patterns in symptom development and risk factors for asthma.