Trends in asthma incidence in children: a UK population-based cohort study

05 May 2022
Clinical Research Results Abstract Introduction: Evidence suggests that asthma incidence has steadily declined in the past decade, especially in children. These trends have not been thoroughly explored across age groups in the United Kingdom (UK). This study aimed to quantify recent trends in asthma incidence in a UK paediatric population using a large population-based cohort. Methods: We included 498,503 new asthma cases in patients aged 1–17 years who contributed data to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum database from 1/1/07–31/12/19. We calculated annual asthma incidence rates for 3 different age groups (1–5, 6–11, 12–17) stratified by gender. Results: Overall annual incidence rate fell continuously from 1,470 (95% confidence interval: 1449–1490) in 2007 to 634 (623–645) per 105 person-years (pys) in 2019 (57% decline; Figure 1). The most pronounced decrease was in the 1–5 age group, in whom incidence dropped from 2813 (2762–2864) to 759 (735–783) per 105 pys (73% decline). The corresponding data for the 6–11 and 12–17 age group were 1156 (1126–1187) to 727 (707–747) (37% decline) and 550 (529–573) to 430 (415–447) (22% decline) per 105 pys, respectively. The decline was similar between genders.Discussion: The rate of new asthma diagnosis has fallen substantially in children in the UK since 2007. The pronounced decline in the 1–5 age group may be due to a change in diagnostic criteria for wheeze and asthma. Whilst there was some decrease in the 6–11 age group, the incidence in 12–17 year olds was relatively stable. Research Idea Abstract Service Development & Evaluation Abstract Declaration of Interest The study was designed and funded by AstraZeneca. References and Clinical Trial Registry Information

Resource information

Respiratory conditions
  • Asthma
Respiratory topics
  • Children
Type of resource
Abstract
Conference
Malaga 2022
Author(s)
Constantinos Kallis, Imperial College London