Outcome in adulthood of asymptomatic airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine and exercise-induced bronchospasm in childhood

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005 Aug;95(2):137-42. doi: 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61202-1.

Abstract

Background: Studies of the clinical outcome in adulthood of asymptomatic airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to histamine or exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) detected in childhood in general population samples are sparse and have produced conflicting results.

Objective: To describe the outcome of asymptomatic AHR to histamine and EIB.

Methods: Data from a 12-year follow-up study of a random population sample of individuals aged 7 to 17 years at enrollment were analyzed; only individuals without asthma at enrollment were included in the analysis. AHR to inhaled histamine, EIB, lung function, and sensitization to aeroallergens were measured.

Results: Among the 281 nonasthmatic participants studied, 58 (22%) had AHR to histamine, 33 (12%) had EIB, and 82 (29%) had AHR to histamine and/or EIB. At follow-up, 37.9% of individuals with AHR to histamine and 30% of individuals with EIB had developed current asthma, compared with only 5% of individuals in whom these test results were negative. In patients with AHR to histamine, parental asthma (odds ratio [OR], 12.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-108.5), furred pets ownership (OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 1.2-19.6), and dermatitis and/or rhinitis in childhood (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-5.1) predicted the subsequent development of asthma, whereas no risk factors for the development of asthma could be identified in individuals with EIB CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic AHR to histamine and EIB in childhood predict the subsequent development of asthma in adulthood. A genetic disposition to asthma, furred pets ownership, and concomitant rhinitis or dermatitis increase the risk of asthma development in individuals with AHR to histamine.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asthma / etiology
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Asthma, Exercise-Induced / complications
  • Asthma, Exercise-Induced / immunology*
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / complications
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / immunology*
  • Child
  • Denmark
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Histamine / administration & dosage
  • Histamine / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Regression Analysis
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Histamine