Childhood bronchitis and adult respiratory outcomes: a prospective study from age 7 to 53 years

Abstract

Rationale: It is unclear if childhood bronchitis is associated with adverse respiratory outcomes in middle-age Aim: To determine the relationships between childhood bronchitis frequency/duration and clinical outcomes in middle-aged Australians Methods: Data were from the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS, 1968-2016). Four categories of parent-reported bronchitis by age 7 were none (reference), non-recurrent, recurrent (>5 episodes of 'loose, rattly' or chesty cough lasting <1 month), and recurrent-protracted (>5 episodes, >1 month average duration). Outcomes at age 53 included chronic bronchitis (CB), asthma and pre/post-bronchodilator (BD) spirometry. Trend tests, mediation analysis and multivariable regression were used Results: Increasing childhood bronchitis severity was associated with adult asthma/pneumonia-ever (p-trend<0.001) but not adult current CB. Associations with lung function were less clear. Asthma and FEV1 at age 7 were mediators View inline Conclusion: Dose-response relationships were seen between increasing childhood bronchitis and outcomes other than bronchitis in middle-age. Further delineation of longitudinal phenotypes is needed Grant Support: NHMRC; Clifford Craig & Asthma Foundations; GSK; RHH.L6338039372021-01-05 <br />