biostudies-literatureUnknown16(2)Abohalaka RTampereen TuberkuloosisäätiöVetenskapsrådetALF agreementVBG Group Herman Krefting FoundationHjärt-LungfondenAstma- och AllergiförbundetIn this study, we compared symptoms, comorbidities, and healthcare burden between childhood-onset asthma (< 18 years) and early adult-onset (18-39 years) and late adult-onset asthma (≥ 40 years). Among 3546 participants with data on physician-diagnosed asthma and onset age, 46.4% were defined as adult-onset [864 (24.4%) had early adult-onset asthma (18-39 years) and 782 (22.1%) had late adult-onset asthma (≥ 40 years)], which, compared to childhood-onset asthma, presented with more complex, multi-symptom profiles, including productive cough, sputum production, but less wheezing. Allergy-related comorbidities were more common in childhood-diagnosed asthma, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, and chronic sinusitis were more common in adult-onset asthma. Adult-onset asthma also had a higher disease burden, with more frequent medication use and exacerbations. Adult-onset asthma has an underlying complexity, contributing to a vicious cycle of worsening symptoms, increased medication use, and more comorbidities.Clinical and translational allergye70160https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12906355biostudies-literatureAdult-Onset Compared to Childhood-Onset Asthma: Multifaceted Symptoms, Comorbidity, and Healthcare Burden.PMC12906355Lisik DAbohalaka RErcan SOzuygur Ermis SSKankaanranta HBackman HLehtimaki LRadinger MNwaru BIfalseAdult-Onset Compared to Childhood-Onset Asthma: Multifaceted Symptoms, Comorbidity, and Healthcare Burden.In this study, we compared symptoms, comorbidities, and healthcare burden between childhood-onset asthma (< 18 years) and early adult-onset (18-39 years) and late adult-onset asthma (≥ 40 years). Among 3546 participants with data on physician-diagnosed asthma and onset age, 46.4% were defined as adult-onset [864 (24.4%) had early adult-onset asthma (18-39 years) and 782 (22.1%) had late adult-onset asthma (≥ 40 years)], which, compared to childhood-onset asthma, presented with more complex, multi-symptom profiles, including productive cough, sputum production, but less wheezing. Allergy-related comorbidities were more common in childhood-diagnosed asthma, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, and chronic sinusitis were more common in adult-onset asthma. Adult-onset asthma also had a higher disease burden, with more frequent medication use and exacerbations. Adult-onset asthma has an underlying complexity, contributing to a vicious cycle of worsening symptoms, increased medication use, and more comorbidities.2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Feb2026-07-06T03:18:45.942Z2026-07-06T03:11:48.831ZS-EPMC129063554168985910.1002/clt2.70160