Risk factors for asthma onset between the ages of 12 and 40. Results of the FENASMA study.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical profile of patients with asthma and to identify possible risk factors for its development in subjects over the age of 12.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multicenter study of cases and controls. Recruited for inclusion were case subjects between the ages of 12 and 40 diagnosed with asthma, with an onset of symptoms after the age of 12. Control subjects were selected, with ages between 12 and 40, who did not have childhood asthma and did not present symptoms of asthma at the time of the study.

RESULTS

We evaluated 923 subjects: 247 cases and 671 controls. 54.9% were women. Mean age of the cases was 28.3 ± 8.2; mean age of controls was 30.8 ± 7.1 (p<0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, it was observed that the determining factors for the of the presence of asthma were hypersensitivity to animals or other allergens, presence of rhinitis, family history of asthma, occupational risk/exposure to irritants and the hypersensitivity/intolerance to NSAIDs. In said analysis, it was also demonstrated that age was a protection factor, as well as level of education.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors for the development of asthma at an adult age are hypersensitivity to animals or other allergens, rhinitis, family history of asthma, occupational risk/exposure to irritants and the hypersensitivity/intolerance to NSAIDs, while age and level of education are protection factors.