Risk factors for new-onset asthma and early COPD in a cohort of young adults

Introduction: Asthma and COPD have different pathology, but only few population-based studies have evaluated common risk factors for adult-onset asthma and early COPD. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to describe common risk factors for incident asthma and COPD in young adults. Methods: A cohort of 1,191 individuals, age 20–44 years, participated in baseline interview and clinical examination within the RAV-study in 2003-2005 including lung function measurement, bronchial challenge and SPT. Re-examination of 747 subjects (63%) during follow-up in 2013-2014 comprised 459 subjects, who at baseline denied ever having asthma and did not have bronchial obstruction defined by Lower Limit of Normal. End points at follow-up for asthma was defined by self-reported ever having asthma and for COPD a lung function showing bronchial obstruction. Risk estimates of potential determinants measured at baseline were computed by logistic regression. Results: A total of 17 incident cases of asthma and 20 cases of COPD were identified at follow-up corresponding to an incidence rate of 4.4 and 4.7 per 1,000 person years, respectively. Significant risk factors for incidence of asthma were FEV1 Conclusions: FEV1