Factors Associated with Persistence of Severe Asthma from Late Adolescence to Early Adulthood

Growing, Growing, Gone: The Double Whammy of Early Deprivation and Impaired Evolution of Lung Function

“…Hence, the present study [2] turns the spotlight firmly onto lung growth as the root of deteriorating asthma, and yet again, the importance of early life deprivation. Although Type 2 inflammation is very important in the pathophysiology of childhood asthma, and anti-inflammatory treatment with ICS has revolutionised asthma outcomes, there was no association between biomarkers and associations of type 2 inflammation (peripheral blood eosinophil count, total IgE, sensitization and exposure to aeroallergens) and outcome (their Figure 3).…”

“…Here, Izadi et al [2] have studied the CAMP trial participants in adolescence and young adulthood to determine the factors which predict evolution from relatively mild to severe asthma. The huge strengths of the study include the longitudinal, prospective design and an amazing 65% retention rate of their subjects.…”

“…Although of course biologicals such as omalizumab and mepolizumab were suggested by Izadi et al [2] as therapies which might modulate remodelling, the studies of inflammation and remodelling in early life do not suggest that inflammation is the root cause of change in airway calibre, but rather that inflammation and remodelling are parallel processes [11]. Furthermore, the logistics of getting agreement from families and funders for the preventive treatment of a child with perhaps only mild asthma with long term injections of an expensive biologic are not trivial.…”

Personalized Treatment of Asthma: The Importance of Sex and Gender Differences

“…Smoking is more common in women with asthma than in those without it, including during pregnancy. 44,45 Tobacco smoke and vaping during pregnancy could increase the risk for the child developing asthma 46,47 and developing more severe asthma into early adulthood, 48 and newborn admission to the hospital. 49 Physical activity and diet.…”

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Just Old Friends or Relatives?

“…By further analyzing the Childhood Asthma Management Program, initially a drug trial turned to a welldefined, long-term, ongoing cohort study. Izadi N. and colleagues unravel some knowledge gaps in the nature of childhood factors associated with persistent severe asthma in adult life 3 . These authors reported that only two determinants, namely reduced lung growth in childhood and maternal smoking during pregnancy, among more than 22 explored, were predictors of persistent severe asthma later in life.…”