Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the effect of diagnosis delay (from first onset to diagnosis) on respiratory function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), eosinophils (EOS), immunoglobulin E (IgE) in children with bronchial asthma. Methods: We analyzed data of asthma children treated in Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2022. All of the children were divided into 5 groups according to their diagnosis delay: immediate diagnosis, delayed for (0-1] year, (1-2] years, (2-4] years, and >4 years. The differences of lung function, FeNO, EOS, IgE at patients’ first diagnosis of asthma in different groups were compared. Multiple linear regression analysis was done to investigate the effects of various factors on lung function, FeNO, EOS, and IgE. Results: The median (quartile) diagnosis delay was 22.98(4.28,42.88) months in asthmatic children without rhinitis and 12.25 (4.03,34.49) months in children with asthma and rhinitis (Z=-0.18,P=0.860). The diagnosis delay was shorter among female than male (Z=-2.61,P=0.009). The children whose first asthma onset age was ≤3 years had a longer diagnosis delay than those whose first onset age was >3 years (Z=-17.07,P=0.000). Conclusion: The longer the diagnosis delay, the more severe the damage to lung function and FeNO, EOS, IgE. Therefore, diagnosing asthma according to its diagnostic criteria and providing standardized treatment in time, will contribute greatly to advancing physical and mental health of children with asthma and reducing damage and disability brought by asthma.

Key words: Asthma, Respiratory function tests (pulmonary function tests), Fractional exhaled nitric oxide, Eosinophils, Immunoglobulin E, Children