Outcomes of childhood asthma to the age of 50 years

Abstract

Conclusion The clinical and lung function outcome in adult life is strongly determined by asthma severity in childhood. The reduced lung function seen in adults is established in childhood and does not appear to decline more rapidly in adult years despite continuing symptoms.Background In 1964, The Melbourne Asthma Study was established to describe the spectrum and natural history of childhood asthma.Objective To describe the clinical and lung function outcome of childhood asthma to the age of 50 years. Method Subjects were invited to complete an interviewer-administered questionnaire, skin prick testing, and measurement of lung function from the age of 7 years to the age of 50 years at 7-ye..