Associations of different phenotypes of wheezing illness in early childhood with environmental variables implicated in the aetiology of asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Asthma is a complex heterogeneous disease that has increased in prevalence in many industrialised countries. However, the causes of asthma inception remain elusive. Consideration of sub-phenotypes of wheezing may reveal important clues to aetiological risk factors.

Methods

Longitudinal phenotypes capturing population heterogeneity in wheezing reports from birth to 7 years were derived using latent class analysis in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Probability of class membership was used to examine the association between five wheezing phenotypes (transient early, prolonged early, intermediate-onset, late-onset, persistent) and early life risk factors for asthma.

Results

Phenotypes had similar patterns and strengths of associatio

SUBMITTER: Granell R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3485223 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature