Lung function in young adulthood: differences between males and females with asthma

Abstract

BackgroundThere are phenotypic differences in asthma in males and females. Differences in lung function between the sexes at the peak lung function level in young adulthood are so far not directly addressed. The aim of the present study was to assess lung function in early adulthood in males and females depending on asthma onset and remission.MethodsParticipants were included from the population-based birth cohort BAMSE and classified as having: never asthma, childhood asthma in remission, adolescent onset asthma or persistent asthma. Pre- and post-bronchodilator lung function (in Z-score) and lung clearance index (LCI) were measured at age 24 years. Lung function was compared stratified for sex between the never asthma and asthma groups univariately and in multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for maternal and paternal asthma, maternal smoking during pregnancy, secondary smoking, daily smoking, early respiratory syncytial virus infection, traffic pollution, childhood allergic sensitisation, and body mass index at age 24 years.ResultsAll asthma phenotypes were associated with a lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) post-bronchodilation at 24 years. This was most pronounced in males with persistent asthma compared to males with never asthma (regression coefficient: −0.503; 95% CI: −0.708– −0.298). Childhood asthma (in remission or persistent) was associated with a lower FEV1. After adjustment, the associations remained significant for males. For females, the significant associations with lower FEV1 and FEV1/FVC remained only for subjects with asthma in remission. Persistent asthma was associated with higher LCI in females.ConclusionsIn females, in contrast to males, the association between asthma and lower lung function was attenuated after adjustment for known risk factors.

Association between environmental mercury exposure and allergic disorders in Korean children: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycles 3–4 (2015–2020)

“…This is thought to be because boys have a stronger allergic sensitization response than girls at a young age 43 . Moreover, boys are known to have slower lung function development than girls, so they are relatively vulnerable to the response of allergens 44 . After puberty, estrogen stimulates mast cells and eosinophils to promote allergic reactions, whereas androgens inhibit the differentiation of some T cell subsets, resulting in immunosuppressive effects 45 – 47 .…”

Health-related quality of life decreases in young people with asthma during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood: a birth cohort study

“…Dispensations of asthma medications also decreased, even for participants with severe asthma, allergic asthma, and asthma in combination with airflow obstruction. In our research group we have also seen that in young adulthood the association between asthma and lower lung function was attenuated after adjustment for known risk factors in females in contrast to males [8]. Successful support during this period could provide young adults with lifelong skills for managing their asthma and thereby reduce the disease impact [1].…”

Association between environmental mercury exposure and allergic disorders in Korean children: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycles 3−4 (2015−2020)

“…43 Moreover, boys are known to have slower lung function development than girls, so they are relatively vulnerable to the response of allergens. 44 After puberty, estrogen stimulates mast cells and eosinophils to promote allergic reactions, whereas androgens inhibit the differentiation of some T cell subsets, resulting in immunosuppressive effects. [45][46][47] .…”