Abstract
This study was supported by the Academy of Finland [grant numbers 110451, 117604, 124271, 128089, and 129262]. MKi and JV were supported by the Academy of Finland (projects 124271, 124322, 128089 and 129262). MKi is also supported by the BUPA Foundation, UK, the National Institute on Aging (R01AG034454), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL036310), NIH, USA and the New OSH ERA Programme grant, EU.
The status of stressful life events as a risk factor for asthma is unclear and may be dependent on pre-existing allergic rhinitis. This study examined whether exposure to stressful life events predicted the onset of asthma in adults.
This is a prospective, population-based cohort study of 16,881 males and females, aged 20–54 and free of diagnosed asthma at the beginning of the follow-up (January 1, 2004). Data about stressful life events were gathered with a postal survey. The onset of asthma was ascertained through national registers until December 31, 2005.
During the follow-up period, 192 incident cases of asthma were identified. High total exposure to stressful life events, as indicated by a cumulative severity score, predicted the onset of asthma (HR 1.96; 95% CI 1.22–3.13). This association was robust to adjustment for demographics, smoking, and having a cat/dog at home, and it was observed both among those with and without allergic rhinitis at the baseline. Of the 10 most stressful life events, the illness of a family member, marital problems, divorce or separation, and conflicts with a supervisor were associated with the onset of asthma.
Our study suggests that stressful life events may increase the onset of asthma.
- ERS