Acetaminophen use linked to asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in adolescents

January 01, 0001

Acetaminophen use linked to asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in adolescents

There is epidemiological evidence that the use of acetaminophen may increase the risk of developing asthma. The aim of this study by researchers from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malta and Germany was to investigate the risk of asthma and other allergic disorders associated with the current use of acetaminophen in 13- to 14-year-old children in different populations worldwide. As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Three, 13- to 14-year-old children completed written and video questionnaires obtaining data on current symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema, and a written environmental questionnaire obtaining data on putative risk factors, including acetaminophen use in the past 12 months. A total of 322,959 adolescent children from 113 centers in 50 countries participated.

In the multivariate analyses the recent use of acetaminophen was associated with an exposure-dependent increased risk of current asthma symptoms (OR, 1.43 and 2.51 for medium and high versus no use, respectively). Acetaminophen use was also associated with an exposure- dependent increased risk of current symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema.

The researchers concluded: "Acetaminophen use may represent an important risk factor for the development and/or maintenance of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in adolescent children."

Still only association.

For the full abstract, click here.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 183(2):171-178, 15 January 2011 © 2011 American Thoracic Society
Acetaminophen use linked to Asthma, Rhinoconjunctivitis, and Eczema in Adolescents International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase Three. Richard W. Beasley, Tadd O. Clayton, Julian Crane et al and the ISAAC Phase Three Study Group. Correspondence to Richard Beasley: [email protected]

Category: B. Blood/Blood Forming Organs/Immune Mechanisms. Keywords: acetaminophen, paracetamol, ISAAC, asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, questionnaire, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 4 February 2011

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