The aim of this study was to investigate whethe
r teenage
rs and adolescents (10–22 yea
rs) with asthma o
r asymptomatic b
ronchial hype
rresponsiveness, we
re mo
re likely to expe
rience vocational o
r p
rofessional ca
ree
r limitations in the futu
re, as compa
red to non-asthmatic contempo
ra
ries.
Methods
Data were used from a 14-year follow-up study in general practice, investigating the relationship between respiratory health in childhood and adolescence. At follow-up, the respiratory health status and information about career limitations were obtained.
Results
There were no statistical significant differences between asthmatics (ration:none; color:black"" href=""/science?_ob=MathURL&_method=retrieve&_udi=B6WWS-4HS3BRR-1&_mathId=mml14&_user=3986987&_cdi=7138&_rdoc=5&_acct=C000053951&_version=1&_userid=1605823&md5=e9d0a30b7d95cde3cec0ec63dbc4eae9"" title=""Click to view the MathML source"">n=52) and non-asthmatics (ration:none; color:black"" href=""/science?_ob=MathURL&_method=retrieve&_udi=B6WWS-4HS3BRR-1&_mathId=mml15&_user=3986987&_cdi=7138&_rdoc=5&_acct=C000053951&_version=1&_userid=1605823&md5=51e2cf5213b82832bf668eece7c9401a"" title=""Click to view the MathML source"">n=154) in the proportion currently employed subjects, or contract type. Most examined career limitations were infrequently reported in both groups, but seemed to occur slightly more frequent among asthmatics. Asthmatics seemed to have an increased risk for limitations in daily activities both attributable to their respiratory health (OR=2.6, 95 % CI [1.0; 7.0]) and all-cause (OR=1.8, 95 % CI [0.9; 3.3]), and for absence from work all-cause (OR=1.7, 95 % CI [0.9; 3.3]). However, the differences were in most cases in the magnitude of only a few days per year. Neither lung function nor bronchial hyperresponsiveness did predict absence from work, or limitations in daily activities.
Conclusion
Asthmatic young adults seem to experience somewhat more limitations in their vocational and professional careers. Nonetheless, the majority of the young asthmatics seem to be only slightly limited in their careers. In non-asthmatic young adults the presence of asymptomatic bronchial hyperresponsiveness does not seem to lead to career limitations.