Published ahead of print on April 1, 2005, doi:10.1164/rccm.200412-1738OC
© 2005 American Thoracic Society doi: 10.1164/rccm.200412-1738OC
Sex Differences in Factors Associated with Childhood- and Adolescent-Onset WheezeFirestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Healthcare; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; and Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Malcolm Sears, M.B., Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Healthcare, 50 Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6 Canada. E-mail: searsm{at}mcmaster.ca
Rationale: Factors predicting the development of wheeze may differ between sexes and between childhood and adolescence. Methods: A New Zealand birth cohort of 1,037 children was followed to age 26. For this analysis, those reporting recurrent wheezing at two or more assessments were classified as "wheezers." We examined risk factors for development of wheeze before age 10 (childhood) and subsequently (adolescent-onset) for males and for females separately using Cox regression modeling. Results: Males more often developed childhood wheeze (p = 0.002) and females adolescent-onset wheeze (p < 0.001). Maternal atopy (asthma or hay fever) was a risk factor for childhood wheeze in both sexes (hazard ratio [HR], 1.48, p < 0.05 for males; HR, 2.37, p < 0.001 for females). Paternal atopy also influenced childhood wheeze, significantly for males (HR, 1.72; p = 0.01), and similarly but not significantly for females (HR, 1.70; p = 0.08). For adolescent-onset wheeze, neither maternal (HR, 1.41; p = 0.19) nor paternal history (HR, 0.73; p = 0.42) was a risk factor in males, but maternal history (HR, 2.08; p < 0.01) was a significant risk factor for females. When both age ranges were combined, providing greater power for analysis, paternal history was a stronger risk factor for wheeze in females (HR, 1.62; p = 0.02) than in males (HR, 1.35; p = 0.12). Conclusion: The influence of parental atopy on the development for wheeze differs between males and females and between childhood- and adolescent-onset wheeze.
Key Words: age of onset • asthma • parental history • risk factors • sex Studies of the epidemiology and natural history of childhood asthma demonstrate changing sex prevalence with age. Until age 12 to 13 years, the incidence of asthma is greater in males than in females (1–3). During adolescence, the incidence of asthma increases in females such that, by age 20, the dominance of males with asthma is reversed (1, 4–6). A higher prevalence of asthma in females persists throughout adult life. Risk factors for the development of asthma in childhood include the following: atopy, a family history of asthma or hay fever, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Studies of the natural history of asthma consistently find that female sex, atopy, and airway hyperresponsiveness are associated with the persistence of asthma from childhood to adulthood (2, 7–21). However, studies are conflicting regarding risk factors for predicting new asthma or wheeze during adolescence. One recent German study reported that atopy was not a risk factor for incidence of asthma in females during puberty (22), whereas an Australian longitudinal cohort study showed that, in addition to family history of asthma, atopy was a risk factor for the development of adolescent wheeze (23). Population-based studies of asthma may include subgroups with different risk factors for asthma. If these different subgroups are not separated, the strength of a risk factor for asthma will be averaged across the different groups in both univariate and multiple variable analyses. Only those risk factors that are strong in one or a few subpopulations or moderate in most or all subpopulations will be identified. Examples of subpopulations in asthma include males and females, and those with and without a family history of asthma or atopic disease. By examining these subpopulations, the underlying mechanisms of disease may be better understood. We have analyzed data from a longitudinal study of a New Zealand population-based birth cohort study followed to adulthood to examine factors associated with development of asthma or wheeze during childhood and during adolescence in male and female subpopulations. We have previously reported that, although there were no significant sex differences in the prevalence of recurrent wheeze by age 13, males were more likely to have been diagnosed with asthma than females (24). This finding is confirmed by several other studies (25–27). To eliminate gender bias in the diagnosis of asthma, we have used either recurrent wheeze or asthma as the outcome variable.
Participants in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Study (7, 21, 24, 28–34) were born April 1972 through March 1973. A population-representative birth cohort of 1,037 children was assessed at age 3. Follow-up assessments occurred at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, and 26 years. The Otago Hospital Research Ethics Committee approved each assessment. Written, informed consent was obtained at each visit from the guardian or participant. Comprehensive respiratory questionnaires were completed at all visits from age 9 (7, 29). Parental asthma or hay fever was recorded at the age 7 (30) and 18 visit. Breastfeeding was recorded at age 3 and validated from prospective records (31, 35, 36). Ownership of cats and dogs was recorded at each age (29), and smoking history from age 15 onward (7). Spirometry was performed at each assessment from 9 to 26 years (7, 32). Methacholine challenge was performed by all consenting study members at ages 9, 11, 13, 15, and 21 using a validated abbreviated protocol (32). Allergen skin testing was performed at age 13 and 21 (33). Detailed methods are described in previous publications (7, 21, 28–34, 36) and in the online supplement. We included all study members seen at least once between ages 7 and 26 and whose age of first wheezing (if wheezing occurred) could be determined (n = 1,022).
Statistical Analysis Kaplan-Meier analysis log-rank test was used with univariate analysis. For continuous variables, and to calculate univariate hazard ratios, Cox regression modeling was used; the proportional hazard assumption was tested using log minus log plots and by modeling a "time x factor" interaction term.
We examined factors associated with onset of wheeze during childhood (to age 10) and adolescence (after age 10). To examine risk factors for adolescent-onset wheeze, individuals who developed wheeze before age 10 were excluded from the analysis. Age-dependent risk was noted if hazard ratios for childhood- and adolescent-onset wheeze differed significantly. To isolate the independent influence of maternal and paternal history on the development of wheeze, individuals with only a maternal or only a paternal history were identified and compared with study members where neither parent had a history of asthma or hay fever. Multiple variable analyses by Cox regression used a backward likelihood ratio (p
Sample Characteristics Of the 1,022 study members included in this analysis, 474 were classified as wheezers (reported at two or more assessments) by age 26, of which 50.1% were males. Of the 220 study members with onset of wheeze between ages 10 and 26, 210 (95.5%) developed symptoms between 10 and 18 years. Among males who developed wheeze by age 26, 63% did so before age 10 (p = 0.002 compared with females), whereas females were more likely to develop wheeze between ages 10 and 26 (p < 0.001; Figure 1).
Compared with nonwheezers, both males and females who developed wheeze by age 26 had a lower FEV1/FVC ratio at all ages tested, were more likely to be atopic at age 13 and 21, to have a positive methacholine challenge at age 9, to have a maternal history of atopy, to be ever diagnosed with asthma, and to smoke at age 15 (Table 1). Differences between wheezers and nonwheezers for breastfeeding, having pets before age 9, being first-born, and smoke exposure as a child were not significant in this analysis (Table 1).
Females who developed wheeze at any age to 26 had a higher body mass index from age 9 onward and were more likely to have a paternal history of atopy, but were less likely to have owned a dog before age 9.
Univariate Analysis
Development of childhood-onset wheeze (by age 10). Both males and females who developed childhood-onset wheeze were more likely to have a positive methacholine challenge at age 9 (HR, 4.20 [2.88–6.12] for males; HR, 6.48 [4.14–10.14] for females; Figure 2), to be atopic at age 13 (HR, 2.89 [1.97–4.25] for males; HR, 2.62 [1.68–4.09] for females; Figure 3), and have a parental history of atopy (HR, 1.61 [1.17–2.23] for males; HR, 2.22 [1.48–3.33] for females). Males and females with childhood-onset wheeze had a lower FEV1/FVC ratio at all ages tested between 9 and 26 years compared with nonwheezers (p < 0.001; Table 2).
Males with only a paternal history were more likely to develop childhood wheeze (by age 10) than those with no parental history of atopy (HR, 1.72 [1.11–2.69]; Figure 4A). Because fewer females develop childhood wheeze, the same hazard ratio (HR, 1.70 [0.92–4.14]) for paternal history was not significant for females (p = 0.085; Figure 4B). However, although females with a maternal history were more likely to develop childhood wheeze (by age 10) than those with no parental history (HR, 2.37 [1.48–3.81]), the influence of maternal history for males was only borderline significant (HR, 1.48 [0.99–2.22]).
Females who were breastfed were more likely to develop childhood-onset wheeze, with a less strong trend seen in males (HR, 1.34 [0.97–1.85] for males; HR, 1.58 [1.06– 2.38] for females). When stratified by any parental history, the influence of breastfeeding was most strongly seen for childhood-onset wheeze in breastfed females with a parental history of atopy (HR, 1.44 [1.02–2.05]) versus breastfed females without a parental history (HR, 0.83 [0.56–1.24]). A similar trend was seen in males (Figure 5A, males; Figure 5B, females).
Development of adolescent-onset wheeze (after age 10 to age 26). Smoking at age 15 was a risk factor for adolescent-onset wheeze for both males and females (HR, 2.57 [1.56–4.22] for males; HR, 1.71 [1.16–2.53] for females). All other risk factors for adolescent-onset wheeze were different between the sexes (Table 3). In males, any atopy at age 13 (HR, 1.69 [1.01–2.28]) and maternal smoking during the third trimester of pregnancy were associated with adolescent-onset wheeze (HR, 1.79 [1.02–3.14]). In females, maternal history (HR, 2.08 [1.34–3.22]) was a significant risk factor and paternal history was again borderline significant (HR, 1.57 [0.92–2.66]). A positive methacholine challenge at age 9 (HR, 4.07 [2.21–7.48]) was also a risk factor for adolescent-onset wheeze. Females with adolescent-onset wheeze also had a lower FEV1/FVC at age 9 (p = 0.053). Atopy was not a risk factor for adolescent-onset wheeze in females. Females whose families owned a dog before age 9 were less likely to develop wheeze at any age to 26, with the effect being most pronounced on the development of adolescent-onset wheeze (HR, 0.64 [0.44–0.95]). Change in body mass index between age 9 and 11 was a borderline significant risk factor for adolescent-onset wheeze in females (HR, 1.18 [0.99–1.42).
Development of wheeze at any age to 26.
Multiple Variable Analyses For males, any atopy at age 13 and airway hyperresponsiveness at age 9 were associated with childhood-onset wheeze (Table 5). When airway hyperresponsiveness was excluded from the regression, lung function at age 9, in addition to atopy, was associated with development of wheeze by age 10. For Model 2, only parental history was found to be a risk factor for childhood wheeze in males. When any parental history was replaced by maternal-only and paternal-only history, paternal history was the strongest predictor of childhood wheeze in males.
For females, any atopy at age 13, airway hyperresponsiveness at age 9, and lung function at age 9 were also found to be associated with childhood-onset wheeze (Table 6). When airway responsiveness was excluded, atopy and lung function remained significant risk factors. For Model 2, the interaction of any parental history of asthma or hay fever with breastfeeding was a risk factor for childhood wheeze. When any parental history was replaced by maternal-only and paternal-only history, only the interaction of breastfeeding by maternal history was a risk factor for childhood wheeze.
Development of adolescent-onset wheeze. To identify risk factors associated with new wheeze after age 10, factors entered into the Cox regression included the following: any parental history of atopy, any atopy at age 13, PC20 FEV1 less than or equal to 8 mg/ml at age 9, owning a cat or dog before age 9, FEV1/FVC at age 9, maternal smoking during the third trimester, breastfeeding, birth order, maternal and paternal smoking during the childhood of the study member, and body mass index at age 9 and 11 for both males and females. If any parental history was found to be a factor associated with wheeze, to maintain the same reference population, both maternal-only and paternal-only history were substituted into the model. All multiple variable analyses are corrected for smoking at age 15. For males, atopy at age 13 and maternal smoking in the third trimester of pregnancy were associated with adolescent-onset wheeze (Table 7). No difference was found when either variable was excluded from the regression. For females, airway hyperresponsiveness at age 9 was the strongest risk factor for adolescent-onset wheeze (Table 8). When airway hyperresponsiveness was excluded from the multiple variable regression, lung function at age 9 and any parental history of asthma or hay fever were then found to be risk factors for adolescent-onset wheeze. When any parental history was replaced by maternal-only and paternal-only history, both maternal history and lung function were associated with adolescent-onset wheeze in females.
This analysis of data from a population-based birth cohort has identified significant differences between males and females for factors associated with childhood- and adolescent-onset wheeze. Atopy and airway hyperresponsiveness were associated with childhood wheeze in both sexes. However, although atopy continues to be a risk factor for developing wheeze through adolescence in males, atopy was not a risk factor for adolescent-onset wheeze in females. The results from this study may clarify contradictory results from previous studies on the influence of atopy on the development of adolescent asthma. An Australian study has previously reported that atopy, defined by skin testing at age 8 through 10, was a risk factor for the development of wheeze in puberty (23). In contrast, a German study found that atopy at age 10 was not a risk factor for the development of adolescent asthma (22). Although the proportion of females included in the analysis is similar for both studies (55% females in the Australian study, 48.5% females in the German study; p > 0.05), the prevalence of atopy at baseline was significantly lower in the Australian study than in the German cohort and our cohort (22.3% in the Australian cohort, 45.6% in the German cohort, 44.7% in our cohort; p < 0.001). The lower prevalence of atopy in the Australian study may explain why atopy was a risk factor for adolescent-onset wheeze. Neither the Australian or German studies stratified their analysis to evaluate if atopy was a sex-specific risk for adolescent-onset wheeze. Our analysis found that atopy was a risk factor for adolescent-onset wheeze in males but not in females. One of the limitations of our study is that several factors associated with childhood-onset wheeze, including atopy and airway responsiveness, were measured near or after age 10. As a result, this study cannot establish whether these factors are causally related. Further studies with more detailed and prospective measurements of childhood atopy and airway responsiveness are needed to understand the relationship between these variables and asthma. The first comprehensive history of childhood wheezing was obtained when the children were age 9 (29). Those study members with childhood-onset wheeze likely represent children with either persistent or relapsing symptoms, symptoms significant enough to be reported by the mother. Early-childhood wheezing not recalled by the mother had probably been mild and had remitted; otherwise, one would expect these symptoms to be remembered. Therefore, the risk factors for childhood wheeze identified in this study are more likely to apply to children with persistent wheeze, and less to children with transient wheeze. Paternal and maternal history of asthma and hay fever was obtained from the guardian (usually mother) at age 7 and the study member at 18. Both mother and study member may underreport or confuse symptoms for other family members (e.g., reporting hay fever rather than a diagnosis of asthma). Therefore, we chose to combine asthma and hay fever into a single variable. Despite the potential for recall bias for maternal and paternal atopy by mother and study member, a maternal history of atopy was a risk factor for wheeze for both males and females, consistent with other studies (37, 38). A paternal history of atopy was a significant predictor of wheeze in females but did not show an age-dependent effect. Previous studies have found that maternal history was a strong risk factor for asthma under age 5, with paternal history being a weak risk factor for early-childhood wheeze and a stronger risk factor for wheeze after age 5 (39, 40). Both of these studies were analyzed cross-sectionally, without stratification by sex. If we analyze our study in a similar manner, paternal history is a risk factor for adolescent-onset wheeze. When analyzed longitudinally with stratification by sex, maternal and paternal history affects males and females differently. Although dividing a sample into subgroups decreases the power of the study, subgroup analysis may still be sufficiently powered to see larger effects in at-risk subgroups within a study population (e.g., wheeze in females with a family history of atopy who are breastfed). One danger in stratification is if the subgroups are selected after a preliminary analysis has been completed. Such post hoc stratification may lead to biased results because the authors have prior knowledge of differences within the sample. In this report, all stratification decisions were made before undertaking the analyses. We have considered several potential explanations for the finding of maternal history as a strong risk factor for wheeze in males and females, and paternal history as a strong risk factor for wheeze in females but a weak risk factor in males. Several of these (maternal–fetal interactions, genomic imprinting) only provide an incomplete explanation. We suggest that asthma might possibly be partly explained as an X-linked recessive disorder in the context of a complex genetic disorder. In short, if asthma is an X-linked recessive disorder, males should have a higher incidence of disease because they only have one copy of the X chromosome, whereas females need an abnormal X chromosome from both parents to manifest disease. However, because of X inactivation, heterozygous females may still develop a milder form of disease. Maternal history would be a strong risk factor because it would affect both sons and daughters. Paternal history would be a risk factor for asthma in females, who receive an X chromosome from their father, but not for males, who do not. This X-linked recessive disorder hypothesis alone cannot explain the increased incidence of wheeze among adolescent females. However, several studies have suggested that female sex hormones influence asthma (41). Atopy, measured by skin-prick test, changes during the menstrual cycle (42). When estrogen levels are high, wheal and flare responses increase (42–44). The proliferation of peripheral blood monocytes to pokeweed mitogen is increased in the presence of estrogen, whereas testosterone inhibits this response (45, 46). This analysis of our longitudinal birth cohort study suggests different mechanisms for the development of asthma at different times between males and females. The possibility that asthma may in part be an X-linked recessive disorder, explaining the different effects of maternal and paternal history of atopy, and that the gene products on the X chromosome that cause asthma are subsequently influenced by changes in sex hormones, needs to be further tested in genetic, epidemiologic, and clinical studies (47).
The authors thank the study members and their parents for their continued support. They also thank Air New Zealand, Dr. Phil A. Silva, the study founder, and Dr. Richie Poulton, current director.
The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit is funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand. The respiratory section of the study was funded by the Health Research Council, the Otago Medical Research Foundation, the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, and the Asthma Foundation of New Zealand. Collection of data used in this report was also funded by the National Heart Foundation (New Zealand) and the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health grant MH45070. P.J.M. is a CIHR Strategic Training Fellow in the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program and holds a training award from the CHEST foundation (United States). M.R.S. holds the AstraZeneca Chair in Respiratory Epidemiology, McMaster University. This article has an online supplement, which is accessible from this issue's table of contents at www.atsjournals.org Conflict of Interest Statement: P.J.M. does not have a financial relationship with a commercial entity that has an interest in the subject of this manuscript; J.M.G. does not have a financial relationship with a commercial entity that has an interest in the subject of this manuscript; J.O.C. does not have a financial relationship with a commercial entity that has an interest in the subject of this manuscript; D.R.T. has no commercial interests that represent a conflict of interest regarding this study. He received airfare and accommodation expenses for speaking at a symposium sponsored by AstraZeneca in 2005. His department received an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline annually until 2004, valued at N.Z. $45,000 per annum; M.R.S. does not have a financial relationship with a commercial entity that has an interest in the subject of this manuscript. Received in original form December 23, 2004; accepted in final form March 29, 2005
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ABSTRACT
METHODS
0.05 in, p > 0.1 out). All multiple regression analyses for adolescent-onset wheeze were corrected for smoking at age 15. A secondary analysis identified factors associated with the development of wheeze at any age to last follow-up at age 26. Statistical analysis was completed using SPSS, version 12 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). 
females, compared with males, are more likely to develop wheeze after age 10, p < 0.001.
2-mm wheal) at age 13 and the development of wheeze by age 26, by age of onset. *Females positive for any atopy at age 13 are more likely to develop wheeze by age 10, and at any age to 26 versus nonatopic females, p < 0.001; 
females with a family history of atopy, who were not breastfed, were more likely to develop wheeze at any age to 26 versus females with no family history of atopy and who were not breastfed, p = 0.015; 
females with a family history of atopy, who were breastfed, were more likely to develop wheeze at any age to 26 than all other groups, including females with a family history of atopy only, p = 0.042.
