Severe Asthma In Children Research Articles

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Asthma Severity in US Adults

Background/objectives: The association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and asthma severity among United States (US) adults with asthma has not been well documented. In addition, whether gender differences exist in this association has been underexplored. We aimed to examine the prevalence of asthma severity in the US adult population with asthma and investigate the association between ACEs and asthma severity by using data from non-institutionalized US adults with asthma. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Adult 2019 and 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Asthma Call-Back Survey (ACBS), a survey of US adults aged 18 years or older in 31 US states and Puerto Rico. A total of 22934 adults with asthma participated in 2019 and 2020 ACBS. The 11 BRFSS ACE variables encompassing abuse and household dysfunction were used as ACE measures. ACE measures were summed up as cumulative ACE scores (continuous) and categorized (zero, one ACE, two ACEs, ≥ three ACEs). Asthma severity was categorized as intermittent or persistent. Weighted logistic regression models were used to assess associations of the cumulative ACE score, categorical ACE measures, and the 11 individual ACE responses with asthma severity controlling confounders. Gender differences were explored by stratifying by gender. Results: The prevalence of persistent asthma among US adults with asthma was 45.3%. The mean cumulative ACE score in adults with intermittent vs. persistent asthma was (2.43 vs. 2.70, p-value < 0.05). About 22% of adults with asthma had no ACEs, 19% had one ACE, 14% had two ACEs, and 45% had three or more ACEs. A one-unit increase in ACEs score was associated with a 5.4% increase in the odds of persistent asthma (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 1.054 (95% confidence interval, CI = 1.01–1.10). Experiencing ≥ three ACEs compared to no ACEs was associated with 31% increased odds of persistent asthma (aOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.01–1.70). Individual ACE items significantly associated with persistent asthma include parent/adult ever touched you sexually (aOR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.03–1.74), adult tried to make you touch them (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.01–1.79), any adult forced you to have sex (aOR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.04–1.20), parental separation/divorce (aOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.05–1.63), and household alcohol abuse (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.01–1.53). In women, experiencing one ACE and ≥ three ACEs (compared to no ACEs) was associated with 51% and 60% increased odds of persistent asthma, respectively (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.02–2.23; aOR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.12–2.27). No significant association was observed between ACEs and asthma severity in men; however, experiencing household physical violence (compared to no household physical violence) was associated with persistent asthma in men (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.18–2.42). Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study of US adults with asthma, exposure to ACEs was associated with higher odds of asthma overall and in women. These findings highlight the importance of preventive strategies and early interventions to reduce ACEs, potentially mitigating asthma’s severity in adulthood.

Socioeconomic status and emergency department visits in adults with a history of severe childhood asthma: a register-based study

ABSTRACT Background and Objective Our knowledge of socioeconomic status (SES) and emergency department (ED) visits in adults with a history of severe childhood asthma is limited. Our aim was, therefore, to investigate these variables in individuals with a history of severe childhood asthma compared to a control population. Methods The Kongsberg cohort comprises Danish individuals with a history of severe childhood asthma and a previous 4-month stay at an asthma care facility in Kongsberg, Norway, between 1950 and 1979. The cohort was compared 1:1 to sex and age matched controls with no previous diagnosis of or treatment for obstructive airway disease (OAD). Data from the national Danish health registries were used for comparing cases and controls. Results A total of 1394 adults from the Kongsberg cohort were alive and residing in Denmark (mean age 63 years, 43% females) at the index date (June 2022). A Charlson comorbidity index score of ≥1 was higher in the study cohort compared to controls (7% versus 3%) (p < 0.01). Cases had a 1.5-fold increased likelihood of having a high educational level (p < 0.001) compared to controls. Compared to the controls, cases had a higher risk of all-cause ED visits, with individuals having lower educational levels showing the highest proportion of ED visits. Furthermore, 31.2% and 22.9%, respectively, of cases and controls with high educational levels had had ED visits. Compared to controls, logistic regression analysis revealed a 1.7-fold higher risk of all-cause ED visits in cases (p < 0.001). Conclusions In adults with a history of severe childhood asthma, educational level, comorbidity burden, and risk of ED visit were higher compared to matched controls with no history of obstructive airway disease.

The new biologic drugs: Which children with asthma should get what?

Novel biologics (targeted antibody therapies) have revolutionized the management of severe childhood asthma. However, it is important that the right biologic is selected for the right patient, and understanding the evidence base for each biologic is crucial. Currently, four biologics (all monoclonal antibodies) are licensed in the UK for the treatment of children with severe asthma - omalizumab (Xolair), mepolizumab (Nucala), and dupilumab (Dupixent) in children aged 6 years and over; and tezepelumab (Tezspire), only in children aged 12 years and over. Tezepelumab is the only licensed biological that may be beneficial in severe asthma without evidence of Type 2 inflammation. All have a good safety profile but varying degrees of clinical efficacy in children, with wide variation in treatment responsiveness between individual patients. When selecting biologics for severe asthma, it is essential to remember the limitations of the current pediatric evidence. At present, there are no results from randomized, head-to-head trials of biologics in severe asthma. TREAT is an ongoing trial comparing omalizumab to mepolizumab and will be one of the first to provide such evidence. We must be especially aware of the dangers of extrapolating data from adults to children, because the pathophysiology and role of biomarkers may differ significantly from adult asthma. Given the current level of knowledge, even after treatment has been initiated, children should be regularly reviewed to determine the efficacy of treatment, side-effect profile and consideration of when treatment with the biologic should be discontinued.

Correlation of Vitamin D Levels with Severity of Asthma in Children Between 6 to 12 Years

Background: Millions of children worldwide suffer from chronic asthma, a serious respiratory disease that has a major influence on everyday living and health outcomes. There are significant public health concerns regarding the estimated 10-15% frequency of asthma in children in India. Vitamin D, which is recognized for its immunomodulatory qualities, according to recent studies reduces the severity. In this study, children aged 6 to 12 years old's vitamin D levels and the severity of their asthma were examined. Materials and Methods: At a tertiary care teaching hospital, 100 children between the ages of 6 and 12 who were presenting with acute exacerbations of bronchial asthma were the subjects of a prospective cohort study from August 2021 to August 2022. ELISA was used to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and the GINA recommendations were used to determine the severity of asthma. Based on their levels of vitamin D, the kids were divided into three groups: sufficient (&gt;30 ng/mL), insufficient (20–30 ng/mL), and deficient (&lt;20 ng/mL). Children who were deficient in vitamin D were given supplements and monitored for three months. With SPSS 27, statistical analysis was carried out. Findings: The results of the study showed a strong correlation between increased asthma severity and inadequate asthma control and reduced vitamin D levels. Children with the most acute and uncontrollably asthmatic episodes were those with low vitamin D levels (&lt;20 ng/mL). Significant improvements in asthma control, decreased activity limits, and decreased need for rescue medication were noted after three months of vitamin D administration. Conclusion: This study shows a clear link between children's asthma control issues and higher asthma severity when there is a vitamin D Deficiency. Supplementing with vitamin D significantly improved asthma outcomes, indicating a possible therapeutic role for this nutrient. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are recommended to validate these findings and further elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Machine learning-enhanced HRCT analysis for diagnosis and severity assessment in pediatric asthma.

Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is conditionally recommended to rule out conditions that mimic or coexist with severe asthma in children. However, it may provide valuable insights into identifying structural airway changes in pediatric patients. This study aims to develop a machine learning-based chest HRCT image analysis model to aid pediatric pulmonologists in identifying features of severe asthma. This retrospective case-control study compared children with severe asthma (as defined by ERS/ATS guidelines) to age- and sex-matched controls without asthma, using chest HRCT scans for detailed imaging analysis. Statistical analysis included classification trees, random forests, and conventional ROC analysis to identify the most significant imaging features that mark severe asthma from controls. Chest HRCT scans differentiated children with severe asthma from controls. Compared to controls (n = 21, mean age 11.4 years), children with severe asthma (n = 20, mean age 10.4 years) showed significantly greater bronchial thickening (BT) scores (p < 0.001), airway wall thickness percentage (AWT%, p < 0.001), bronchiectasis grading (BG) and bronchiectasis severity (BS) scores (p = 0.016), mucus plugging, and centrilobular emphysema (p = 0.009). Using AWT% as the predictor in conventional ROC analysis, an AWT% ≥ 38.6 emerged as the optimal classifier for discriminating severe asthmatics from controls, with 95% sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy. Our study demonstrates the potential of machine learning-based analysis of chest HRCT scans to accurately identify features associated with severe asthma in children, enhancing diagnostic evaluation and contributing to the development of more targeted treatment approaches.

Enhancers regulate genes linked to severe and mild childhood asthma

BackgroundChildren with severe asthma suffer from recurrent symptoms and impaired quality of life despite advanced treatment. Underlying causes of severe asthma are not completely understood, although genetic mechanisms are known to be important. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify gene regulatory enhancers in leukocytes, to describe the role of these enhancers in regulating genes related to severe and mild asthma in children, and to identify known asthma-related SNPs situated in proximity to enhancers. MethodsGene enhancers were identified and expression of enhancers and genes were measured by Cap Analysis Gene Expression (CAGE) data from peripheral blood leukocytes from children with severe asthma (n = 13), mild asthma (n = 15), and age-matched controls (n = 9). ResultsFrom a comprehensive set of 8,289 identified enhancers, we further defined a robust sub-set of the high-confidence and most highly expressed 4,738 enhancers. Known single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs, related to asthma coincided with enhancers in general as well as with specific enhancer-gene interactions. Blocks of enhancer clusters were associated with genes including TGF-beta, PPAR and IL-11 signaling as well as genes related to vitamin A and D metabolism. A signature of 91 enhancers distinguished between children with severe and mild asthma as well as controls. ConclusionsGene regulatory enhancers were identified in leukocytes with potential roles related to severe and mild asthma in children. Enhancers hosting known SNPs give the opportunity to formulate mechanistic hypotheses about the functions of these SNPs.

Characteristics of Adults With Severe Asthma in Childhood: A 60-Year Follow-Up Study

BackgroundChildhood asthma is a prevalent condition with potential impact on adult life. Research QuestionIn a 60-year follow-up study of adults with a history of severe childhood asthma, what are the potential differences in characteristics between individuals with persistent asthma and asthma remission in adulthood? Study Design and MethodsDanish adults with a history of childhood asthma and a 4-month stay in at an asthma care facility in Kongsberg, Norway (1950-1979) in childhood were included. Recruitment was done through social media and personal invitation letters. Participants completed questionnaires and underwent spirometry, bronchial provocation, and bronchodilator reversibility and blood tests. Asthma remission was defined as no use of asthma medication and no asthma symptoms within the past 12 months with the remaining participants being classified as having current asthma. ResultsAmong 1394 eligible participants, 232 completed the follow-up. Ninety percent had current asthma, of whom 26% reported exacerbations in the past year. Only 16% of all the participants were managed in secondary care. Common comorbidities were allergic rhinitis (60%), hypertension (21%), eczema (16%), and cataract (8%). Compared to participants in remission, participants with persistent asthma had higher total immunoglobulin E (p=0.03), and both lower FEV1%pred (p=0.03), and FEV1/FVC ratio (p<0.001), as well as numerically higher fractional exhaled nitric oxide and blood eosinophil count. InterpretationOur 60-year follow-up study of adults with a history of severe childhood asthma revealed that nine out of ten still had current asthma. Persistent asthma was associated with lower lung function and higher levels of type 2 inflammatory biomarkers compared to those with asthma remission.

Biological treatments in childhood asthma.

The aim is to update the information currently available for the use of biologics in severe asthma in children, in order to facilitate their prescription as far as possible. The appearance of biologics for the treatment of severe asthma has meant a revolutionary change in the therapeutic approach to this disease. Currently, five biologics have been approved for severe asthma in children and/or adolescents by the regulatory agencies: omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab and tezepelumab. But despite their positive results in terms of efficacy, there are still relevant points of debate that should induce caution when selecting the most appropriate biologic in a child with severe asthma. Indeed, safety is essential and, for several of the existing treatments, the availability of medium-term to long-term data in this regard is scarce. The use of biologics can facilitate the therapeutic paradigm shift from pleiotropic treatments to personalized medicine. However, the choice of the most appropriate biologics remains a pending issue. On the other hand, to the extent that several of the biologics have been available for a relatively short time, the most robust evidence in terms of efficacy and safety in children is that of omalizumab.

The Child Opportunity Index 2.0 and exacerbation-prone asthma in a cohort of urban children.

Social determinants of health underlie disparities in asthma. However, the effects of individual determinants likely interact, so a summary metric may better capture their impact. The Child Opportunity Index 2.0 (COI) is one such tool, yet its association with exacerbation-prone (EP) asthma is unknown. To investigate the association between the COI and EP asthma and clinical measures of asthma severity in children. We analyzed data from two prospective observational pediatric asthma cohorts (n = 193). Children were classified as EP (≥1 exacerbation in the past 12 months) or exacerbation-null (no exacerbations in the past 5 years). Spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, IgE, and Composite Asthma Severity Index (CASI) were obtained. The association between COI and EP status was assessed with logistic regression. We fit linear and logistic regression models to test the association between COI and each clinical measure. A 20-point COI decrease conferred 40% higher odds of EP asthma (OR 1.4; 95%CI 1.1-1.76). The effect was similar when adjusted for age and sex (OR 1.38, 95%CI 1.1-1.75) but was attenuated with additional adjustment for race and ethnicity (OR 1.19, 95%CI 0.92-1.54). A similar effect was seen for the Social/Economic and Education COI domains but not the Health/Environment Domain. A 20-point COI decrease was associated with an increase in CASI of 0.34. COI was not associated with other clinical measures. Lower COI was associated with greater odds of EP asthma. This highlights the potential use of the COI to understand neighborhood-level risk and identify community targets to reduce asthma disparities.

Optimizing care for children with difficult-to-treat and severe asthma through specialist paediatric asthma centres: expert practical experience and advice

Severe asthma in children carries an unacceptable treatment burden, yet its rarity means clinical experience in treating it is limited, even among specialists. Practical guidance is needed to support clinical decision-making to optimize treatment for children with this condition.This modified Delphi convened 16 paediatric pulmonologists and allergologists from northern Europe, all experienced in treating children with severe asthma. Informed by interviews with stakeholders involved in the care of children with severe asthma (including paediatricians, nurses and carers), and an analysis of European guidelines, the experts built a consensus focused on the gaps in existing guidance. Explored were considerations for optimizing care for patients needing biologic treatment, and for selecting home or hospital delivery of biologics. This consensus is aimed at clinicians in specialist centres, as well as general paediatricians, paediatric allergologists and paediatric pulmonologists who refer children with the most severe asthma to specialist care. Consensus is based on expert opinion and is intended for use alongside published guidelines.Our discussions revealed three key facets to optimizing care. Firstly, early asthma detection in children presenting with wheezing and/or dyspnoea is vital, with a low threshold for referral from primary to specialist care. Secondly, children who may need biologics should be referred to and managed by specialist paediatric asthma centres; we define principles for the specialist team members, tests, and expertise necessary at such centres, as well as guidance on when homecare biologics delivery is and is not appropriate. Thirdly, shared decision-making is essential at all stages of the patient’s journey: clear, concise treatment plans are vital for patient/carer self-management, and structured processes for transition from paediatric to adult services are valuable. The experts identified the potential for specialist paediatric asthma nurses to play a significant role in facilitating multidisciplinary working.Through this project is agreed a framework of practical advice to optimize the care of children with severe asthma. We encourage clinicians and policymakers to implement this practical advice to enhance patient care.

Recent Insights into the Environmental Determinants of Childhood Asthma.

Ubiquitous environmental exposures, including ambient air pollutants, are linked to the development and severity of childhood asthma. Advances in our understanding of these links have increasingly led to clinical interventions to reduce asthma morbidity. We review recent work untangling the complex relationship between air pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone and asthma, such as vulnerable windows of pediatric exposure and their interaction with other factors influencing asthma development and severity. These have led to interventions to reduce air pollutant levels in children's homes and schools. We also highlight emerging environmental exposures increasingly associated with childhood asthma. Growing evidence supports the present threat of climate change to children with asthma. Environmental factors play a large role in the pathogenesis and persistence of pediatric asthma; in turn, this poses an opportunity to intervene to change the course of disease early in life.

Evaluation of Healthy Eating Index and Children's Diet Inflammatory Index according to asthma severity group

BackgroundDiet may contribute to better asthma control in children by impacting the immune and inflammatory pathophysiology. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate differences in nutrient intake, Children’s Dietary Inflammatory Index (C-DII), and dietary quality according to asthma severity.Materials and methodsAsthma severity, dietary inflammatory status, and diet quality were assessed in a sample of 202 children with asthma (55.6% males, aged 5–18 years) attending a pediatric allergy outpatient clinic. Asthma severity was evaluated according to the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria and categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. The Children’s Dietary Inflammatory Index (C-DII) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) were calculated based on information collected by the 24-h dietary recall method. Dietary quality was categorized as poor, moderate, or good diet according to HEI-2010.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 9.6 ± 3.2 years. Children with severe asthma were younger on average (p < 0.05). Children with mild asthma had significantly higher fiber and iron intake than those with moderate asthma (p < 0.05). C-DII values did not differ significantly according to asthma severity (p > 0.05). Dietary quality was evaluated as moderate in 89.1% of the participants and also showed no difference based on asthma severity.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that inflammatory status and diet quality may not affect asthma severity in children, highlighting the influence of various genetic and environmental factors on the association between diet and asthma severity. More comprehensive and longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms linking diet and asthma.

Deep T-Cell Profiling Implicates Lung-Resident Rhinovirus-Specific Cells in the Development and Persistence of Severe Childhood Asthma

Deep T-Cell Profiling Implicates Lung-Resident Rhinovirus-Specific Cells in the Development and Persistence of Severe Childhood Asthma

Impact of family socioeconomic position on childhood asthma outcomes, severity, and specialist referral - a Danish nationwide study.

Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children, carrying a major burden. Socioeconomic position (SEP) affects adult asthma outcomes, but its impact on childhood asthma, particularly in primary versus specialist care, has not been studied thoroughly. In a Danish cohort consisting of all children aged 2-17years redeeming inhaled corticosteroids in 2015, parental SEP impact on asthma outcomes was investigated. Workforce attachment, income, education, and metropolitan residence were chosen as covariates in logistic regression. Outcomes were uncontrolled (excessive use of short-acting beta2-agonists), exacerbating (oral corticosteroid use or hospitalization), and severe asthma (according to GINA 2020). The cohort comprised 29,851 children (median age 8.0, 59% boys). 16% had uncontrolled asthma, 8% had ≥1 exacerbation. Lower income and metropolitan residence correlated with higher odds of poor control, exacerbations, and severe asthma. Lower education correlated with worse asthma outcomes. Education and income were protective factors in primary care, but not in specialist care. Metropolitan residence was the sole factor linked to specialist care referral for severe asthma. Low parental SEP and metropolitan residence associated with poor asthma outcomes. However, specialist care often mitigated these effects, though such care was less likely for at-risk children in non-metropolitan areas.

Overview on the treatment of severe bronchial asthma

Childhood asthma, often linked with atopic conditions, poses a challenge when classified as severe and uncontrolled. The 2023 GINA guidelines define severe asthma in children as asthma that remains uncontrolled despite optimized treatment with high-dose ICS-LABA or requires high-dose ICS-LABA to prevent it from becoming uncontrolled. This category encompasses about 5% of pediatric asthma cases, emphasizing the need for innovative therapeutic exploration. Advances in understanding asthma phenotypes and endotypes enable personalized treatment based on biomarkers. Monoclonal antibodies offer targeted solutions, reducing exacerbations, improving lung function, and minimizing corticosteroid use in pediatric patients. Integrating these therapies requires a personalized approach by healthcare providers, enhancing outcomes in severe and refractory cases.

Blood miR-21 and miR-26 tailor a good diagnostic model for childhood asthma.

This study was to investigate the relationships between blood miR-21/26a with the prevalence and severity of childhood asthma (CAMP). For this purpose, 123 children with allergic asthma (AZ) from June 2018 to June 2020, and 60 contemporaneous healthy children for reference, were enrolled. Lung function was detected using a portable pediatric spirometer and AZ severity was evaluated. Blood samples of admissions were collected to quantify the expression degrees of miR-21 and miR-26a. Logistic regression analysis and model were constructed. Results showed that (1) CAMP had higher MiR-21 expression and lower MiR-26a expression than healthy controls; (2) The severity of AZ, evidenced by FEV1/PV, significantly correlated with miR-21(Y=-3.825X+102.6, P<0.001) and miR-26a (Y=10.43X+54.29, P<0.001); (3) The prevalence of AZ-related to miR-21 (OR=4.180, P<0.001) and miR-26a (OR=0.058, P<0.001) after adjusting for cofounders. (4) the expression levels of miR-21/26a had a good diagnostic potential for AZ (AUC are 0.85 and 0.94, respectively). In conclusion, Blood miRNA-21 and miR-26a are promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and severity of CAMP.

Influence of drugs of protocol therapy on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines of t-lymphocytes of children with bronchial asthma

ABSTRACT. At the current stage of solving the problem in the pathogenesis of atopic BA in moderate-severe and severe course of the disease, the leading role is played by pro-inflammatory cytokines of T-lymphocytes and factors of the late phase of allergic inflammation. Goal. To determine the effect of the drugs of the therapy protocol recommended by GINA (2021) and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 2856 on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with AD. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in 106 patients with BA and 20 healthy children aged 5 to 14 years in the period of disease remission before and after therapy. The impact of the protocol therapy scheme on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their antibody control in children with different degrees of severity of the course of the disease was evaluated. The results. In asthma in children with a mild persistent course, protocol therapy reduces the release of mediators of the early phase of the allergic disease and the partial production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which leads to clinical remission of the disease. With a moderately severe persistent course of AD, the influence of protocol therapy drugs reduce the level of production of pro-inflammatory cytokines to weakly positive values, which indicates incomplete control of therapy and unstable clinical remission. In severe persistent AD, protocol therapy partially reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, but does not affect the late phase of allergic inflammation and the autoimmune component of the pathogenesis of the disease. Conclusions. The recommended GINA protocol therapy (2021) eliminates the early phase and does not affect the late phase of allergic inflammation and the autoimmune component. This requires the development of additional therapy for moderate and severe asthma in children.

Greater fruit and vegetables consumption, and adherence to a Mediterranean type of diet reduces the risk for asthma in children; a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between the consumption of fruits, vegetables and adherence to the Mediterranean diet with childhood asthma development and severity. A systematic literature search and synthesis of the results was performed throughout the last two decades. A total of 45 studies were analysed and 392,797 children were included. Greater adherence to a Mediterranean type of diet was inversely associated with asthmatic outcomes (OR:0.71,95% CI:0.54,0.88). Regarding fruits, vegetables consumption, a significant inverse association between increased fruits or vegetable intake and asthma was found (OR:0.82,95% CI:0.77,0.86; 0.84,95% CI:0.77,0.91, respectively). Fruits and vegetables consumption combined was also inversely related to all asthmatic outcomes (OR:0.65,95% CI:0.49,0.78). The level of heterogeneity was moderate-to-high (30%–97%). The present review and meta-analysis show a trend to an inverse association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet or a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and the occurrence of childhood asthma but with a low level of certainty.

Relationship between early life asthma and chronic airway disease in adult life – in search for disease trajectories over the life span- the RELATE study based on the Kongsberg cohort

BackgroundChronic airway disease in adults may have its origin in early life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term prognosis of severe childhood asthma in search for an association between asthma in early life and obstructive lung disease in adulthood.MethodsThis study is based on the Kongsberg cohort, which includes approximately 5000 children with severe asthma with a 4-month stay at the asthma care facility in Kongsberg, Norway during the years 1950 to 1979. An on average 60-year observational study based on a follow-up examination will be performed including questionnaires, blood samples, and tests of lung function and bronchial responsiveness. Blood samples will be stored in a biobank. In addition, we will conduct further analyses of the cohort based on nationwide register data, including socio-economic parameters and mortality.DiscussionChronic airway disease is associated with substantial burden for both the individual patient and society. Our knowledge of early life origins of chronic airway disease later in life has been increasing in recent decades but is still limited. By exploring early life risk factors for chronic airway disease in adulthood, we may gain insights paving the way for future reduction in the burden of chronic airway diseases.

Severe Asthma and Biological Therapies: Now and the Future.

Recognition of phenotypic variability in pediatric asthma allows for a more personalized therapeutic approach. Knowledge of the underlying pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms (endotypes) of corresponding biomarkers and new treatments enables this strategy to progress. Biologic therapies for children with severe asthma are becoming more relevant in this sense. The T2 phenotype is the most prevalent in childhood and adolescence, and non-T2 phenotypes are usually rare. This document aims to review the mechanism of action, efficacy, and potential predictive and monitoring biomarkers of biological drugs, focusing on the pediatric population. The drugs currently available are omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, and 1ezepelumab, with some differences in administrative approval prescription criteria between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Previously, we described the characteristics of severe asthma in children and its diagnostic and therapeutic management.