A new global study has found more evidence linking the use of acetaminophen to development of asthma and eczema in adolescents, with monthly use of the common drug almost doubling the risk of asthma.
Asthma has become more prevalent in the past 30 years and scientists have been trying to determine possible causes for the rise in this health problem. This study backs up previous research done with infants and young children, ages six and seven.
The results of the study will be published on American Thoracic Society's website ahead of the print edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
A total of 322,959 adolescent children, aged 13 and 14 -- from 113 centres in 50 countries -- participated in this extensive survey project.
The study found a significant association between acetaminophen (a main pain reliever recommended for children) and risk of asthma and eczema. Key findings:
- For medium users (once a year) of acetaminophen the risk of asthma was 43 per cent higher than non-users
- High users (once a month) had 2.51 times the risk of non-users.
- Similarly, the risk of rhinoconjunctivitis (allergic nasal congestion) was 38 per cent higher for medium users and 2.39 times as great for high users compared to non-users.
- For eczema, the relative risks were 31 per cent and 99 per cent respectively.
The causality could not be determined, by this study, and that will require a longterm study comparing kid who took acetaminophen with a control group of those who did not.
However, there is mounting evidence that suggests a causal link between acetaminophen and risk of asthma. Acetaminophen may have a systemic inflammatory effect and could possibly suppress the immune response.
The study's authors are recommending that randomized controlled trials be undertaken to investigate this relationship further.
