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Sex influences on lung function and medication in childhood asthma
Author(s) -
Hallberg Jenny,
Anderson Martin,
Wickman Magnus,
Svartengren Magnus
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1080/08035250600584794
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , cohort , lung function , pediatrics , population , airway , pulmonary function testing , cohort study , physical therapy , lung , surgery , environmental health
Aim : To evaluate possible sex differences in prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of asthma, and influence on lung function associated with asthma severity in a population‐based birth cohort (BAMSE) of 4089 children. Methods : At 4‐y follow‐up, 92% responded to a questionnaire on symptoms of asthma, current medication and doctor's diagnosis of asthma. A total of 2965 children participated in clinical testing, including measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF), and were assigned to groups of asthma or no asthma by reported airway symptoms. Results : Children in asthma groups had lower PEF readings compared to healthy children. This effect was most pronounced for both sexes in the persistent group (boys p<0.05, girls p<0.001) and for girls in the transient group (p<0.01). A doctor's diagnosis of asthma did not significantly differ between boys and girls, but significantly more boys than girls had inhaled corticosteroids, even when stratifying by frequency of symptoms. Conclusion : These results suggest that when 4‐y‐old children are stratified according to common diagnostic criteria, girls have a larger effect on PEF of asthma symptoms and are less frequently treated compared to boys.