Childhood Predictors of Lung Function and Future COPD Risk

A study published in the Lancet details the discovery of a link between the respiratory disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and childhood exposure to parental smoking or childhood illnesses, such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia or eczema.

Researchers in Australia accessed six waves of the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS) with 2438 participants who had provided data at age seven and age 53. Analysis of the information about lung function of the participants allowed the researchers to identify those at greater risk of developing COPD.

One key finding was that personal smoking and active adult asthma increased the impact of maternal smoking and childhood asthma. It was also discovered that increased risk factors were largely associated with "modifiable early-life exposures" which were then impacted by health behaviour choices made later in life. The research team also recommended that reducing maternal smoking, smoking in the home and personal smoking could reduce the risk of COPD. 

The study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the European Union's Horizon 2020. Other funders included the University of Melbourne; Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust of Tasmania; The Victorian, Queensland & Tasmanian Asthma Foundations; The Royal Hobart Hospital; Helen MacPherson Smith Trust; and GlaxoSmithKline.