Breathlessness across generations: results from the RHINESSA generation study

Abstract

BackgroundBreathlessness is a major cause of suffering and disability globally. The symptom relates to multiple factors including asthma and lung function, which are influenced by hereditary factors. No study has evaluated potential inheritance of breathlessness itself across generations.MethodsWe analysed the association between breathlessness in parents and their offspring in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, Spain and Australia generation study. Data on parents and offspring aged ≥18 years across 10 study centres in seven countries included demographics, self-reported breathlessness, asthma, depression, smoking, physical activity level, measured Body Mass Index and spirometry. Data were analysed using multivariable logistic regression accounting for clustering within centres and between siblings.ResultsA total of 1720 parents (mean age at assessment 36 years, 55% mothers) and 2476 offspring (mean 30 years, 55% daughters) were included. Breathlessness was reported by 809 (32.7%) parents and 363 (14.7%) offspring. Factors independently associated with breathlessness in parents and offspring included obesity, current smoking, asthma, depression, lower lung function and female sex. After adjusting for potential confounders, parents with breathlessness were more likely to have offspring with breathlessness, adjusted OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.9). The association was not modified by sex of the parent or offspring.ConclusionParents with breathlessness were more likely to have children who developed breathlessness, after adjusting for asthma, lung function, obesity, smoking, depression and female sex in both generations. The hereditary components of breathlessness need to be further explored.

Pathways linking greenspace to behavioural problems in Polish children

“…Parents reported the frequency and duration of physical activity of their child by answering two questions adopted from the RHINESSA study: “How often (How many hours per week) does your child usually do strenuous physical activity outside of school that makes her or him get out of breath or sweat more than usual (e.g., playing team sports, dancing, swimming, etc. )?” [ 45 , 46 ]. Response options for physical activity frequency were: Every day, 4–6 times per week, 1–3 times per week, At least once per month, Less than once per month, Never, and Don't know.…”

Does exposure to nature make children more intelligent? Analysis in Polish children with and without ADHD

“…To estimate the duration of children's PA per week (None; <1 h; 1-2 h; 3-4 h; 5-6 h; >6 h), the parents were asked the following question: "Approximately how many hours per week does your child usually do strenuous PA outside of school that makes her or him get out of breath or sweat more than usual (e.g., playing team sports, dancing, swimming)?" This question was adopted from the RHINESSA study (Ekström et al 2022;Lindberg et al 2020).…”

Cohort profile: the multigeneration Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, Spain and Australia (RHINESSA) cohort

“… 39 Ekström et al found that breathlessness was nearly doubled in offspring of parents with breathlessness, even when adjusting for factors associated with breathlessness in both generations (obesity, smoking, depression, asthma, lower lung function and female sex). 40 Carsin et al found that grandfather’s cardiometabolic disease (CMD) was directly associated with grand offspring asthma, while accounting for indirect effects transmitted through parental CMD or asthma, consistently in the RHINE, ECRHS and RHINESSA cohorts (not yet published).…”