RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Prevalence estimates and risk factors for early childhood wheeze across Europe: the EuroPrevall birth cohort
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 1049
OP 1061
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2016-209429
VO 73
IS 11
A1 Anna Selby
A1 Alasdair Munro
A1 Kate E Grimshaw
A1 Victoria Cornelius
A1 Thomas Keil
A1 Linus Grabenhenrich
A1 Michael Clausen
A1 Ruta Dubakiene
A1 Alessandro Fiocchi
A1 Marek L Kowalski
A1 Nikolaos G Papadopoulos
A1 Marta Reche
A1 Sigurveig T Sigurdardottir
A1 Aline B Sprikkelman
A1 Paraskevi Xepapadaki
A1 E N Clare Mills
A1 Kirsten Beyer
A1 Graham Roberts
YR 2018
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/73/11/1049.abstract
AB Background Preschool wheeze is an important problem worldwide. No comparative population-based studies covering different countries have previously been undertaken.Objective To assess the prevalence of early childhood wheeze across Europe and evaluate risk factors focusing on food allergy, breast feeding and smoke exposure.Methods Infants from nine countries were recruited into the EuroPrevall birth cohort. At 12 and 24 months, data on wheeze, allergic signs/symptoms, feeding, smoke exposure, infections and day care attendance were collected using questionnaires. Poisson regression was used to assess risk factors for wheeze.Results 12 049 infants were recruited. Data from the second year of life were available in 8805 (73.1%). The prevalence of wheeze in the second year of life ranged from <2% in Lodz (Poland) and Vilnius (Lithuania) to 13.1% (95% CI 10.7% to 15.5%) in Southampton (UK) and 17.2% (95% CI 15.0% 19.5%) in Reykjavik (Iceland). In multivariable analysis, frequent lower respiratory tract infections in the first and second years of life (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.9 (95% CI 1.3 to 2.6) and 2.5 (95% CI 1.9 to3.4), respectively), postnatal maternal smoking (IRR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4), day care attendance (IRR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5) and male gender (IRR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.7) were associated with wheeze. The strength of their association with wheeze differed between countries. Food allergy and breast feeding were not independently associated with wheeze.Conclusion The prevalence of early childhood wheeze varied considerably across Europe. Lower respiratory tract infections, day care attendance, postnatal smoke exposure and male gender are important risk factors. Further research is needed to identify additional modifiable risk factors that may differ between countries.