B3393 - G1 Addition of lung function to G1 clinic 30 - 18/10/2019
Obstructive lung diseases are a common cause of disease and disability throughout life.
According to WHO estimates, 65 million people have moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). More than 3 million people died of COPD in 2005, which corresponds to 5% of all deaths globally.
In 2002 that COPD was the fifth leading cause of death. Total deaths from COPD are projected to increase by more than 30% in the next 10 years unless urgent action is taken to reduce the underlying risk factors, especially tobacco use. Estimates show that COPD becomes in 2030 the third leading cause of death worldwide.
The aim of this research project is to understand factors during childhood that influence the development of peak lung function in early adulthood. We will measure the lung function of around 5,000 young adults who have been intensively studied since before birth as part of a longitudinal birth cohort, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Lung function increases with physical growth through childhood, reaching a peak in early adulthood. Following this peak, there is a gradual loss of lung function throughout the rest of life. Therefore, failure to attain maximal lung function during childhood could lead to early onset of respiratory illnesses in adult life. This study will build on previous measurements of lung function in the ALSPAC cohort linked to a wealth of data on early lifestyle and environment to try to find out what factors are associated with slow acquisition of lung function during childhood and low peak lung function in early adulthood.