The relation between paracetamol use and asthma: a GA²LEN European case–control study

Abstract

Studies from the UK and USA suggest that frequent use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) may increase the risk of asthma, but data across Europe are lacking.As part of a multicentric case-control study organised by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA 2 LEN), it was examined whether or not frequent paracetamol use is associated with adult asthma across Europe. The network compared 521 cases with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting of asthma symptoms within the last 12 months with 507 controls with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms within the last 12 months across 12 European centres. All cases and controls were selected from the same population, defined by age (20-45 yrs) and place of residence. In a random effects meta-analysis, weekly use of paracetamol, compared with less frequent use, was strongly positively associated with asthma after controlling for confounders. There was no evidence for heterogeneity across centres. No association was seen between use of other analgesics and asthma.These data add to the increasing and consistent epidemiological evidence implicating frequent paracetamol use in asthma in diverse populations.

Adult-onset asthma: is it really different?

“…On the contrary, the use of paracetamol represents a putative risk factor for the development of asthma [69][70][71]. Glutathione depletion in the airways and increased oxidative stress may be the mechanism underlying the link between paracetamol use and asthma development.…”

Paracetamol Hypersensitivity: Clinical Features, Mechanism and Role of Specific IgE

“…The link between paracetamol and asthma has been extensively investigated [1,2,3,4,5,6], but the mechanism of hypersensitivity reactions is not well understood [7,8,9,10]. Discovered in 1878 and first used as an antipyretic in 1887, paracetamol has become increasingly popular due to the paucity of its adverse effects in therapeutic doses.…”

Paracetamol als Risikofaktor für Asthma

“…In einer europäischen FallKontroll-Studie konnte eine schwache Evidenz für einen Zusammenhang zwischen Paracetamol und Asthma auch bei Erwachsenen gezeigt werden [5]. Die Einnahme von Paracetamol in der Spät-schwangerschaft scheint ebenfalls früh-kindliches Giemen zu begünstigen [6].…”