Prevention And Incidence Of Asthma And Mite Allergy Research Articles

Clinical implications of airway obstruction with normal or low FEV1 in childhood and adolescence

BackgroundAirway obstruction is defined by spirometry as a low forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio. This impaired ratio may originate from a low...

Residential exposure to livestock farms and lung function in adolescence – The PIAMA birth cohort study

BackgroundThere is a growing interest in the impact of air pollution from livestock farming on respiratory health. Studies in adults suggest adverse effects of livestock farm emissions on lung function, but so far, studies involving children and adolescents are lacking. ObjectivesTo study the association of residential proximity to livestock farms and modelled particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10) from livestock farms with lung function in adolescence. MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study among 715 participants of the Dutch prospective PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort study. Relationships of different indicators of residential livestock farming exposure (distance to farms, distance-weighted number of farms, cattle, pigs, poultry, horses and goats within 3 km; modelled atmospheric PM10 concentrations from livestock farms) with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) at age 16 were assessed by linear regression taking into account potential confounders. Associations were expressed per interquartile range increase in exposure. ResultsHigher exposure to livestock farming was consistently associated with a lower FEV1, but not with FVC among participants living in less urbanized municipalities (<1500 addresses/km2, N = 402). Shorter distances of homes to livestock farms were associated with a 1.4% (0.2%; 2.7%) lower FEV1. Larger numbers of farms within 3 km and higher concentrations of PM10 from livestock farming were associated with a 1.8% (0.8%, 2.9%) and 0.9% (0.4%,1.5%) lower FEV1, respectively. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that higher exposure to livestock farming is associated with a lower FEV1 in adolescents. Replication and more research on the etiologic agents involved in these associations and the underlying mechanisms is needed.

Plasticity of Individual Lung Function States from Childhood to Adulthood.

Rationale: Recent evidence highlights the importance of optimal lung development during childhood for health throughout life. Objectives: To explore the plasticity of individual lung function states during childhood. Methods: Prebronchodilator FEV1 z-scores determined at age 8, 16, and 24 years in the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE (Swedish abbreviation for Child [Barn], Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiological study) (N = 3,069) were used. An unbiased, data-driven dependent mixture model was applied to explore lung function states and individual state chains. Lung function catch-up was defined as participants moving from low or very low states to normal or high or very high states, and growth failure as moving from normal or high or very high states to low or very low states. At 24 years, we compared respiratory symptoms, small airway function (multiple-breath washout), and circulating inflammatory protein levels, by using proteomics, across states. Models were replicated in the independent Dutch population-based PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) cohort. Measurements and Main Results: Five lung function states were identified in BAMSE. Lung function catch-up and growth failure were observed in 74 (14.5%) BAMSE participants with low or very low states and 36 (2.4%) participants with normal or high or very high states, respectively. The occurrence of catch-up and growth failure was replicated in PIAMA. Early-life risk factors were cumulatively associated with the very low state, as well as with catch-up (inverse association) and growth failure. The very low state as well as growth failure were associated with respiratory symptoms, airflow limitation, and small airway dysfunction at adulthood. Proteomics identified IL-6 and CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine 10) as potential biomarkers of impaired lung function development. Conclusions: Individual lung function states during childhood are plastic, including catch-up and growth failure.

Ambient ultrafine particles and asthma onset until age 20: The PIAMA birth cohort

RationaleEvidence regarding the role of long-term exposure to ultrafine particles (<0.1 μm, UFP) in asthma onset is scarce. ObjectivesWe examined the association between exposure to UFP and asthma development in the Dutch PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort and assessed whether there is an association with UFP, independent of other air pollutants. MethodsData from birth up to age 20 years from 3687 participants were included. Annual average exposure to UFP at the residential addresses was estimated with a land-use regression model. Overall and age-specific associations of exposure at the birth address and current address at the time of follow-up with asthma incidence were assessed using discrete-time hazard models adjusting for potential confounders. We investigated both single- and two-pollutant models accounting for co-exposure to other air pollutants (PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentrations, nitrogen dioxide, and PM2.5 absorbance). Measurements and main resultsA total of 812 incident asthma cases were identified. Overall, we found that higher UFP exposure was associated with higher asthma incidence (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.08 (1.02,1.14) and 1.06 (1.00, 1.12) per interquartile range increase in exposure at the birth address and current address at the time of follow-up, respectively). Age-specific associations were not consistent. The association was no longer significant after adjustment for other traffic-related pollutants (nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 absorbance). ConclusionsOur findings support the importance of traffic-related air pollutants for asthma development through childhood and adolescence, but provide little support for an independent effect of UFP.

The association of pure fruit juice, sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit consumption with asthma prevalence in adolescents growing up from 11 to 20 years: The PIAMA birth cohort study

Pure fruit juice is comparable to sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) with respect to its sugar and fructose content. However, it also contains favorable components like polyphenols. From this perspective, pure fruit juice is more comparable with whole fruit. SSBs have been associated with higher asthma risk, while whole fruit consumption has been associated with lower prevalence of asthma (symptoms). Associations with pure fruit juice have been rarely studied. Therefore, we studied the associations of consumption of pure fruit juice, SSBs and whole fruit with asthma prevalence in 3046 children of the Dutch Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) birth cohort growing up from 11 to 20 years. Consumption of pure fruit juice, SSBs and fruit was self-reported at the ages of 11, 14, 17 and 20 years. Presence of asthma was defined based on parental reports of asthma diagnosis ever, and wheezing and asthma medication in the last 12 months. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using generalized linear mixed models accounting for correlation between repeated measurements within subjects. No associations were found between pure fruit juice, SSBs and fruit consumption and the overall prevalence of asthma from 11 to 20 years. An earlier reported association of low pure fruit juice consumption with higher asthma prevalence at the age of 11 years in the PIAMA population was confirmed, but no associations were found at the ages of 14, 17 and 20 years.

Quantile regression to examine the association of air pollution with subclinical atherosclerosis in an adolescent population

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Air pollution has been associated with early risk factors for later cardiovascular outcomes, including carotid intima-media thickness test (CIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the association between air pollution exposure and CIMT in a younger adolescent population. We utilize quantile regression to examine the associations beyond mean regression analysis and examine if associations occur in the tails of the CIMT distribution. METHODS: We measured CIMT at the age of 16 years in 418 adolescents participating in the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) population-based birth cohort in the Netherlands. We fit separate quantile regressions to examine whether the associations of annual averages of air pollutants up to age 14 for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), PM2.5 absorbance (a marker for black carbon) and PM coarse assigned at the participants’ residential addresses varied across deciles of CIMT. We report the quantile regression coefficients that corresponded to an average change in CIMT (µm) associated with an interquartile range increase in the air pollution concentrations. Models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), gestational age at birth and birthweight, parental education, parental smoking status and maternal BMI and breastfeeding status. RESULTS:Interquartile range increases in NO2, PM2.5 and PM2.5 absorbance during the first 2 years of life were associated with significantly higher CIMT in the lower tails of the distribution. NO2 exposure at birth had the largest statistically significant association with a 7.22 µm (95% CI: 5.28, 10.42) increase per IQR increase in NO2 for the 10th quantile of CIMT but was not significantly related to the 50th quantile (estimate: 1.64 µm, 95% CI: -1.49, 6.78). CONCLUSIONS:Early childhood exposure to air pollution concentrations was associated with an increase at the lower tails of the CIMT distribution during adolescence. KEYWORDS: Quantile regression, Environmental Epidemiology, Air pollution, Cardiovascular, Atherosclerosis

Retrospective Cross-sectional Analysis of Factors Associated with Asthma in a Pediatric Cohort from Turkey.

It is difficult to identify young children at increased risk of developing asthma amongst those with recurrent wheezing. In this study, we aimed to determine factors associated with asthma in Turkish children. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis on factors associated with asthma in 651 children (200 girls, 451 boys) admitted for recurrent wheezing. Amongst all included children, asthma frequency was 57.7%. Maturity, consanguinity, family income, passive smoking, father's, siblings' asthma were not found to be associated with asthma. Factors associated with asthma were: family's, parents', siblings' atopy, family's, mother's asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, respiratory symptoms between wheezing attacks. The sensitivity (SN) of the modified asthma predictive index (mAPI) was 59.2% with a specificity (SP) of 91.3%, positive predictive index (PPI) of 65.1% and negative predictive index (NPI) of 82.3%. The SN of the modified Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) score was 22.9% with a SP of 89.2%, PPI of 84.6%, and NPI of 42.2%. Adjusted odds ratio for mAPI was 12.9, and for the modified PIAMA score 4. Our analysis confirmed previously described factors associated with asthma. Although the SN is limited, the mAPI and PIAMA risk scores can be used to predict asthma in Turkish children. Differential diagnoses and overlaps with other chronic pediatric diseases such as immunodeficiencies need to be carefully excluded when confirming the diagnosis asthma.

A widening gap between boys and girls in musculoskeletal complaints, while growing up from age 11 to age 20 - the PIAMA birth Cohort study.

IntroductionThe adolescent years represent a key period for the development of musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) and the differences between boys and girls. We evaluated the prevalence and course of MSC and factors associated with MSC while growing up from age 11 to age 20.MethodsQuestionnaire‐based data at age 11 (n = 2,638), age 14 (n = 2,517), age 17 (n = 2,094) and at age 20 (n = 2,206) from the ongoing Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) birth cohort were analyzed. MSC refers to pain of lower back, upper‐ and/or lower extremities. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate a number of factors in relation to persistent pain (pain reported at three out of four measurements).ResultsPrevalence of MSC increased from 14.2% at age 11 to 22.1% at age 20 for boys, and from 17.4% at age 11 to 37.9% at age 20 for girls. Persistent pain was found among 5.1% of the boys and 16.5% of the girls. Being bullied, sleeping problems and tiredness during the day were significantly associated with persistent pain, in both boys and girls, while the latter two were more prevalent among girls. Self‐reported (sports‐) accidents, and among girls also early onset of puberty, were also significantly associated with persistent pain, but lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and smoking, were not.ConclusionThe prevalence of MSC increases during adolescence, with a widening gap between boys and girls. The factors associated with MSC are similar in boys and girls, though the prevalence of some of these differ by sex.SignificanceMeasuring a group of youngsters 4 times between age 11 and 20 shows an increase in the percentage reporting musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) with a widening gap between girls and boys, with more pain among girls. Boys and girls do hardly differ with respect to factors associated with MSC, being mainly psychosocial factors and (sports) accidents.

Air pollution and IgE sensitization in 4 European birth cohorts—the MeDALL project

Whether long-term exposure air to pollution has effects on allergic sensitization is controversial. Our aim was to investigate associations of air pollution exposure at birth and at the time of later biosampling with IgE sensitization against common food and inhalant allergens, or specific allergen molecules, in children aged up to 16 years. A total of 6163 children from 4 European birth cohorts participating in the Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy [MeDALL] consortium were included in this meta-analysis of the following studies: Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology (BAMSE) (Sweden), Influences of Lifestyle-Related Factors on the Human Immune System and Development of Allergies in Childhood (LISA)/German Infant Study on the Influence of Nutrition Intervention PLUS Environmental and Genetic Influences on Allergy Development (GINIplus) (Germany), and Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) (The Netherlands). The following indicators were modeled by land use regression: individual residential outdoor levels of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 μm, less than 10 μm, and between 2.5 and 10 μm; PM2.5 absorbance (a measurement of the blackness of PM2.5 filters); and nitrogen oxides levels. Blood samples drawn at ages 4 to 6 (n= 5989), 8 to 10 (n= 6603), and 15 to 16 (n= 5825) years were analyzed for IgE sensitization to allergen extracts by ImmunoCAP. Additionally, IgE against 132 allergen molecules was measured by using the MedALL microarray chip (n= 1021). Air pollution was not consistently associated with IgE sensitization to any common allergen extract up to age 16 years. However, allergen-specific analyses suggested increased risks of sensitization to birch (odds ratio [OR]= 1.12 [95% CI= 1.01-1.25] per 10-μg/m3 increase in NO2 exposure). In a subpopulation with microarray data, IgE to the major timothy grass allergen Phleum pratense 1 (Phl p 1) and the cat allergen Felis domesticus 1 (Fel d 1) greater than 3.5 Immuno Solid-phase Allergen Chip standardized units for detection of IgE antibodies were related to PM2.5 exposure at birth (OR= 3.33 [95% CI= 1.40-7.94] and OR= 4.98 [95% CI= 1.59-15.60], respectively, per 5-μg/m3 increase in exposure). Air pollution exposure does not seem to increase the overall risk of allergic sensitization; however, sensitization to birch as well as grass pollen Phl p 1 and cat Fel d 1 allergen molecules may be related to specific pollutants.

Air pollution and the development of asthma from birth until young adulthood.

Air pollution is associated with asthma development in children and adults, but the impact on asthma development during the transition from adolescence to adulthood is unclear. Adult studies lack historical exposures and consequently cannot assess the relevance of exposure during different periods of life. We assessed the relevance of early-life and more recent air pollution exposure for asthma development from birth until early adulthood. We used data of 3687 participants of the prospective Dutch PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort and linked asthma incidence until age 20 years to estimated concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), <10 μm (PM10), and 2.5-10 μm, and PM2.5 absorbance ("soot") at the residential address. We assessed overall and age-specific associations with air pollution exposure with discrete time-hazard models, adjusting for potential confounders. Overall, we found higher incidence of asthma until the age of 20 years with higher exposure to all pollutants at the birth address (adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) ranging from 1.09 (1.01-1.18) for PM10 to 1.20 (1.10-1.32) for NO2) per interquartile range increase) that were rather persistent with age. Similar associations were observed with more recent exposure defined as exposure at the current home address. In two-pollutant models with particulate matter, associations with NO2 persisted. Exposure to air pollution, especially from motorised traffic, early in life may have long-term consequences for asthma development, as it is associated with an increased risk of developing asthma through childhood and adolescence into early adulthood.

Timing of secondhand smoke, pet, dampness or mould exposure and lung function in adolescence

BackgroundThe relevance of timing of exposure in the associations of secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS), pets, and dampness or mould exposure with lung function is unclear. We investigated the relevance of...

Role of timing of exposure to pets and dampness or mould on asthma and sensitization in adolescence.

Pet and dampness or mould exposure are considered risk factors for asthma and sensitization. It is unclear whether timing of exposure to these factors is differentially associated with asthma risk and sensitization in adolescence. We investigated the role of timing of pet and dampness or mould exposure in asthma and sensitization in adolescence. Understanding this role is essential to build targeted prevention strategies. We used data from 1871 participants of the Dutch Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) cohort. Residential exposure to pets, dampness or mould was assessed by repeated parental questionnaires. We used asthma data from the 17-year questionnaire and sensitization data from the 16-year medical examination. We characterized timing using longitudinal exposure patterns from pregnancy till age 17 using longitudinal latent class growth modelling. We used logistic regression models to analyse associations of exposure patterns with asthma at age 17 and sensitization at age 16. For none of the time windows, exposure to pets and dampness or mould was associated with asthma at age 17, but a lower sensitization risk at age 16 was suggested, for example the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for sensitization was 0.63 (0.35-1.11) and 0.69 (0.44-1.08) for early life and persistently high pet exposure, respectively, compared with very low exposure. An inverse association was also suggested for sensitization and moderate early childhood dampness or mould exposure (0.71 [0.42-1.19]). Different timing of pet and dampness or mould exposure was not associated with asthma, but lower risk of sensitization in adolescence was suggested, which could be partly attributable to reversed causation. Current findings are not sufficient to recommend pet avoidance to prevent allergic disease. More prospective studies are needed to obtain insights that can be used in clinical practice.

Wheezing in children: Approaches to diagnosis and management.

Wheezing in children: Approaches to diagnosis and management.

Identification of Atopic Dermatitis Subgroups in Children From 2 Longitudinal Birth Cohorts

L Paternoster, OEM Savenije, J Heron. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(3):964–971 To identify distinct, longitudinal atopic dermatitis (AD) subphenotypes that could be reproduced in 2 independent cohorts and correlate temporal disease patterns with genetic and environmental mechanisms. In the study, we included 14 701 UK children ages 6 months to 16.5 years in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and 3963 Dutch children ages 3 months to 11 years in the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) study. Parental questionnaires at set time points ascertained the presence of …

Childhood infections and common carotid intima media thickness in adolescence.

Atherosclerotic changes can be measured as changes in common carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). It is hypothesised that repeated infection-associated inflammatory responses in childhood contribute to the atherosclerotic process. We set out to determine whether the frequency of infectious diseases in childhood is associated with CIMT in adolescence. The study is part of the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) population-based birth cohort. At age 16 years, common CIMT was measured. We collected general practitioner (GP) diagnosed infections and prescribed antibiotics. Parent-reported infections were retrieved from annual questionnaires. Linear regression analysis assessed the association between number of infections during the first 4 years of life and common CIMT. Common CIMT measurement, GP and questionnaire data were available for 221 participants. No association was observed between the infection measures and CIMT. In a subgroup analysis, significant positive associations with CIMT were observed in participants with low parental education for 2-3 or ⩾7 GP diagnosed infections (+26.4 µm, 95% CI 0.4-52.4 and +26.8 µm, 95% CI 3.6-49.9, respectively) and ⩾3 antibiotic prescriptions (+35.5 µm, 95%CI 15.8-55.3). Overall, early childhood infections were not associated with common CIMT in adolescence. However, a higher number of childhood infections might contribute to the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis in subgroups with low education, this needs to be confirmed in future studies.

Longitudinal Residential Exposures and Lung Function Until Age 16

Background: Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS), pets, and dampness and molds have been linked to reduced lung function. Distinct ranges of ages have been studied, but evidence for associations between longitudinal cumulative patterns of exposure and lung function is scarce. We investigated associations of longitudinal exposure to SHS, pets, and dampness and molds from birth/early life until age 14 with lung function growth between ages 12 and 16.Methods: We used data from the Dutch Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) cohort (N&amp;#61;1461). Data on residential SHS, pets, dampness and molds exposures, as well as health and lifestyle were obtained by questionnaires during follow up. Lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)) was measured during medical examinations at ages 12 and 16. Time-varying residential exposures from birth/early life into adolescence were characterized into longitudinal patterns using Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA). We analyzed the associations of patterns of residential exposures with FEV1 and FVC using linear mixed effects models.Results: SHS exposure patterns were associated with reduced FEV1 growth e.g. -32.6 ml/year (95% confidence interval (CI): -43.4 to -21.7) and reduced FVC growth -20.7 ml/year (-32.9 to -8.4 ) for almost always exposure pattern vs. very low SHS exposure pattern. Pet exposure patterns were associated with increased FEV1 growth e.g. 11.1 ml/year (3.4 to 18.8) for high early life exposure vs. very low pet exposure pattern. Early life exposure to dampness and molds was associated with reduced FEV1 growth (-18.8 ml/year (-27.9 to -9.6 )) and FVC growth (-15.8 ml/year (-26.0 to -5.7 )) as compared to very low dampness and mold exposure pattern.Conclusion: Longitudinal residential exposures to SHS, pets and dampness and molds were associated with lung function growth from 12 to 16 years.

Green Space Visits among Adolescents: Frequency and Predictors in the PIAMA Birth Cohort Study.

Background:Green space may influence health through several pathways, for example, increased physical activity, enhanced social cohesion, reduced stress, and improved air quality. For green space to increase physical activity and social cohesion, spending time in green spaces is likely to be important.Objectives:We examined whether adolescents visit green spaces and for what purposes. Furthermore, we assessed the predictors of green space visits.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, data for 1911 participants of the Dutch PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort were analyzed. At age 17, adolescents reported how often they visited green spaces for physical activities, social activities, relaxation, and to experience nature and quietness. We assessed the predictors of green space visits altogether and for different purposes by log-binomial regression.Results:Fifty-three percent of the adolescents visited green spaces at least once a week in summer, mostly for physical and social activities. Adolescents reporting that a green environment was (very) important to them visited green spaces most frequently {adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] very vs. not important: 6.84 (5.10, 9.17) for physical activities and 4.76 (3.72, 6.09) for social activities}. Boys and adolescents with highly educated fathers visited green spaces more often for physical and social activities. Adolescents who own a dog visited green spaces more often to experience nature and quietness. Green space visits were not associated with the objectively measured quantity of residential green space, i.e., the average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and percentages of urban, agricultural, and natural green space in circular buffers around the adolescents’ homes.Conclusions:Subjective variables are stronger predictors of green space visits in adolescents than the objectively measured quantity of residential green space. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2429

Genetic regulation of IL1RL1 methylation and IL1RL1-a protein levels in asthma.

Interleukin-1 receptor-like 1 (IL1RL1) is an important asthma gene. (Epi)genetic regulation of IL1RL1 protein expression has not been established. We assessed the association between IL1RL1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), IL1RL1 methylation and serum IL1RL1-a protein levels, and aimed to identify causal pathways in asthma.Associations of IL1RL1 SNPs with asthma were determined in the Dutch Asthma Genome-wide Association Study cohort and three European birth cohorts, BAMSE (Children/Barn, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, an Epidemiological survey), INMA (Infancia y Medio Ambiente) and PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy), participating in the Mechanisms of the Development of Allergy study. We performed blood DNA IL1RL1 methylation quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis (n=496) and (epi)genome-wide protein QTL analysis on serum IL1RL1-a levels (n=1462). We investigated the association of IL1RL1 CpG methylation with asthma (n=632) and IL1RL1-a levels (n=548), with subsequent causal inference testing. Finally, we determined the association of IL1RL1-a levels with asthma and its clinical characteristics (n=1101).IL1RL1 asthma-risk SNPs strongly associated with IL1RL1 methylation (rs1420101; p=3.7×10-16) and serum IL1RL1-a levels (p=2.8×10-56). IL1RL1 methylation was not associated with asthma or IL1RL1-a levels. IL1RL1-a levels negatively correlated with blood eosinophil counts, whereas there was no association between IL1RL1-a levels and asthma.In conclusion, asthma-associated IL1RL1 SNPs strongly regulate IL1RL1 methylation and serum IL1RL1-a levels, yet neither these IL1RL1-methylation CpG sites nor IL1RL1-a levels are associated with asthma.

Health-Related Factors Associated with Discrepancies between Children's Potential and Attained Secondary School Level: A Longitudinal Study.

ObjectivesThis longitudinal study examines children’s health-related characteristics in relation to discrepancies between their educational potential assessed by a cognitive test in primary school at age 11 and their attained secondary school level at age 14.MethodsData were used from 1510 participants of the Dutch PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort. Multiple multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the associations between indicators of physical health, psychosocial health, lifestyle, sleeping patterns and stressful life events and attending a higher or lower level of secondary education than indicated by the cognitive test.ResultsWe found no evidence that physical health contributes to discrepancies between the potential and attained level of secondary education, but attention disorders and stressful life events (nasty experiences and parents’ divorce) were associated with educational attainment below children’s potential level. Furthermore, substance use (alcohol, drugs and smoking) were strongly associated with attending a lower level of secondary education than expected (odds ratios from 2.2 (CI: 1.5–3.3) to 5.0 (CI: 2.8–8.7)).ConclusionIn this general population study, attention disorders, stressful life events and especially substance use seemed to be more important than physical health for the discrepancy between expected and attained level of secondary education. The longitudinal design of the present study and the broad range of health-related factors that were studied, adds insights to the process of health-selection.

TRPA1 gene polymorphisms and childhood asthma.

BackgroundAnimal data have suggested that the transient receptor potential ankyrin‐1 (TRPA1) ion channel plays a key role in promoting airway inflammation in asthma and may mediate effects of paracetamol on asthma, yet confirmatory human data are lacking. To study associations of TRPA1 gene variants with childhood asthma and total IgE concentration, and interactions between TRPA1 and prenatal paracetamol exposure on these outcomes.MethodsWe analysed associations between 31 TRPA1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and current doctor‐diagnosed asthma and total IgE concentration at 7.5 years in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort. We sought to confirm the most significant associations with comparable outcomes in the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) and Generation R birth cohorts. In ALSPAC, we explored interactions with prenatal paracetamol exposure.ResultsIn ALSPAC, there was strong evidence for association between six SNPs and asthma: rs959974 and rs1384001 (per‐allele odds ratio for both: 1.30 (95% CI: 1.15–1.47), p = 0.00001), rs7010969 (OR 1.28 (1.13–1.46), p = 0.00004), rs3735945 (OR 1.30 (1.09–1.55), p = 0.003), rs920829 (OR 1.30 (1.09–1.54), p = 0.004) and rs4738202 (OR 1.22 (1.07–1.39), p = 0.004). In a meta‐analysis across the three cohorts, the pooled effect estimates confirmed that all six SNPs were significantly associated with asthma. In ALSPAC,TRPA1 associations with asthma were not modified by prenatal paracetamol, although associations with IgE concentration were.ConclusionThis study suggests that TRPA1 may play a role in the development of childhood asthma. (249 words)