Researchers have uncovered a connection between persistent childhood asthma and COPD in early adulthood. But what does this mean for children who suffer from asthma?
The development of persistent childhood asthma (having trouble breathing on an almost daily basis) is not well understood. In most cases, childhood asthma resolves with time, but as many as 20 percent of children with asthma will go on to have potentially severe symptoms in adulthood.
In the largest and longest United States analysis of persistent asthmatics to date, investigators at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found a link between persistent childhood asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in early adulthood. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that early lung function predicts lung growth later in life, regardless of asthma treatment and smoking exposure.
“This work tells us that persistent childhood asthma can develop into COPD, something that up until now has not been well described,” said Scott T. Weiss, MD, one of the paper’s senior authors and Co-Director of the Systems Genetics and Genomics Section of the Brigham Channing Division of Network Medicine. “Children who had low lung function at the start of the trial followed a series of predicted growth patterns: most had reduced lung growth with time and a significant number would go on to meet the criteria for COPD.”
The study followed 684 participants in the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP) from ages 5-12 until they were at least 23 years old. Each participant reported once a year to one of eight research centers across the U.S. and Canada to complete lung function measurements like spirometry, a test that records how much air a participant can breathe out in one second.
With these annual recordings, the researchers were able to characterize the patterns of growth in asthmatics’ lung function. By the end of the study, 11 percent met the criteria for COPD, a progressive disease that makes breathing difficult. By early adulthood, 75 percent of the children with persistent asthma displayed an early decline in lung function and/or reduced lung growth. Treatment did not change these patterns.
“With this understanding, we need to identify at-risk children earlier and counsel them about potential preventative measures. Since asthma itself is a risk factor for developing COPD, these patients should avoid certain environmental exposures that could intensify their symptoms and increase their COPD risk,” said Weiss.
As many as 20 percent of children with asthma will go on to have potentially severe symptoms in adulthood.
The study followed 684 participants in the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP) from ages 5-12 until they were at least 23 years old. Each participant reported once a year to one of eight research centers across the U.S. and Canada to complete lung function measurements like spirometry, a test that records how much air a participant can breathe out in one second.
With these annual recordings, the researchers were able to characterize the patterns of growth in asthmatics’ lung function. By the end of the study, 11 percent met the criteria for COPD, a progressive disease that makes breathing difficult. By early adulthood, 75 percent of the children with persistent asthma displayed an early decline in lung function and/or reduced lung growth. Treatment did not change these patterns.
