Factors associated with asthma control in 121 preschool children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are controversial data about risk factors for uncontrolled asthma in preschool children. Objective: This study aims to explore the association between clinical and functional parameters and the lack of asthma control in preschool children.

METHODS: Children 3-5 years-old with asthma and healthy controls were recruited. A questionnaire was used to identify the potential risk factors of uncontrolled asthma as defined by GINA (Global INitiative for Asthma) criteria. Lung function and bronchial reversibility were evaluated through impulse oscillometry (IOS) and spirometry. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were estimated based on multivariable generalized additive regression models. The discriminative ability of the models was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS: 121 children were included, 107 of which had asthma and 14 were healthy controls. Fifty-three patients (50%) had uncontrolled asthma. After adjustment, the variables associated with an increased risk of lack of control were: "More than 3 flare-ups in last 12 months", "moderate to severe rhinitis", "relative variation in post-bronchodilator FVC and FEV1". The AUC of the final models that included variation of FVC or FEV1 were 0.82 and 0.81, respectively. R5-20, R5-20% and AX z-score values of the healthy group were lower than those of children with asthma.

CONCLUSION: In preschool children, clinical and functional parameters are associated with uncontrolled asthma. More studies are needed to confirm usefulness of the IOS.