Adverse events and asthma among adults in the UK Biobank

Abstract

Adverse events have been associated with asthma in adults, but the mechanisms for this association are unclear. To examine the relation between adverse events and asthma in adults, before and after stratification by peripheral blood eosinophilia. Cohort study of 85,192 adults aged 40-69 years who participated in the UK Biobank, responded to a mental health questionnaire, and had data on asthma and relevant covariates but no diagnosis of COPD. Adverse events were assessed using five questions adapted from those used in the national crime survey to identify victims of adult domestic violence. Current asthma was defined as physician-diagnosed asthma and current wheeze. Participants with current asthma were classified as having eosinophilic or non-eosinophilic asthma according to their peripheral blood eosinophil count (≥ 300 vs. <300 cells/µL). Multivariable logistic regression was used for the analysis of adverse events during adulthood and current asthma, before and after stratification by peripheral blood eosinophilia. Control subjects were participants without current asthma. Any adverse event during adulthood was significantly associated with current asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.22, 95% CI=1.15-1.30). Similar results were obtained in a sensitivity analysis including only non-smokers. After stratifying the analysis by eosinophil count, any adverse event during adulthood was significantly associated with non-eosinophilic asthma ([aOR]=1.29, 95% CI=1.19-1.39), but not with eosinophilic asthma. Adverse events during adulthood are associated with current asthma among British adults in the UK Biobank. This association is more pronounced for non-eosinophilic asthma.