Norwegian cohort

As far as the prediction of asthma is concerned, eosinophils as well as their mediators (e.g. eosinophil cationic protein, peroxidase and protein X) have been studied in infancy in order to identify individuals who are developing chronic disease. In a Norwegian study cohort, wheezing infants had significantly higher levels of serum eosinophil cationic protein compared to controls [18(11)]. Whether concentrations of mediators from eosinophils also predict the chronic disease process remains to be shown. Studies of eosinophils in bronchial biopsies have suggested that increased numbers of eosinophils are risk factors for chronic asthma [19(11)]. So far, none of the various immunological markers has been found suitable for the prediction of atopy or asthma on an individual level. 

Riise T, Kyvik KR, Moen B A cohort study of disability pensioning among Norwegian painters, construction workers, and workers in food processing. Epidemiology 6 132-136, 1995... 

MoBa study Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study... 

Magnus P, Irgens LM, Haug K, Nystad W, Skjaerven R, Stoltenberg C. Cohort profile the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Int J Epidemiol 2006 35 (5) 1146-50. 

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