Net change in asthma symptoms and medication per 10 years of follow up, estimated by generalised estimating equations and combined by random effects meta-analysis across centres
| Question(see Appendix 1) | No of centres | No of participants | Prevalence (%) in ECRHS I in responders to ECRHS II | Change (95% CI)in prevalence (%) | p value for change | p value for heterogeneity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95% CI = 95% confidence interval. | ||||||
| *A positive response to either of the questions. | ||||||
| Q1: Wheeze | 29 | 11086 | 20.3 | −0.9 (−1.9 to 0.2) | 0.122 | 0.129 |
| Q1.1: Wheeze with breathlessness | 29 | 10991 | 9.9 | 0.3 (−0.3 to 0.9) | 0.367 | 0.491 |
| Q1.2: Wheeze without a cold | 29 | 11029 | 12.2 | 0.2 (−0.8 to 1.1) | 0.767 | 0.029 |
| Q2: Woken with chest tightness | 23 | 9093 | 12.8 | 0.0 (−1.3 to 1.3) | 0.967 | 0.003 |
| Q3: Woken with shortness of breath | 28 | 10746 | 5.8 | 0.2 (−0.4 to 0.8) | 0.449 | 0.424 |
| Q4: Woken by attack of coughing | 21 | 8686 | 27.8 | −1.2 (−2.7 to 0.3) | 0.122 | 0.090 |
| Q5: Attack of asthma | 29 | 11064 | 3.4 | 0.8 (0.2 to 1.4) | 0.011 | 0.006 |
| Q6: Current medication | 29 | 11083 | 3.7 | 2.1 (1.6 to 2.6) | <0.001 | 0.286 |
| Q5 or Q6*: “Diagnosed asthma” | 29 | 11017 | 4.9 | 2.2 (1.6 to 2.9) | <0.001 | 0.037 |
| Q7: Nasal allergies | 23 | 8955 | 25.0 | 3.7 (2.8 to 4.5) | <0.001 | 0.522 |