Children with severe asthma are at high risk of developing COPD

Subjects who were classified as having severe asthma in childhood had an adjusted risk of COPD of 31.9 times that of children without asthma. Interestingly, children with mild asthma were not at increased risk of developing adult obstructive lung disease.

Importantly, this study was performed on a group of children recruited in the 1960s when anti-inflammatory treatment was not available. Studies to date suggest that anti-inflammatory medications do not alter the natural progression of mild childhood asthma, but there are no studies performed in those children with severe asthma.



Severe asthma - differential diagnosis and management (click to enlarge the image).

References:

Children with severe asthma at increased risk of developing COPD. EurekaAlert.

An approach to recalcitrant, severe asthma - AAAAI Ask the Expert, 2011.
Action plan is a key component of self-management programs in patients with COPD. Thorax, 20111.