Childhood trajectories of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema based on medication use in a Swedish birth cohort

<bold>Background:</bold> The developmental patterns of allergic diseases during childhood are heterogeneous. Characterization of trajectories of concurrent existence of multiple allergic diseases based on medication use is lacking. <bold>Aims and objectives:</bold> To characterize childhood trajectories of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema based on medication use. <bold>Methods:</bold> Dispensed medication data were obtained from the National Prescribed Drug Register for a Swedish population-based birth cohort (N=5,654). A binary variable for age 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, and 12-13 years was created for medication use for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema based on Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes. Group-based multi-trajectory modelling was performed in those with ≥1 period with medication (n=2,417). The optimal model was selected based on Bayesian Information Criterion, posterior probability, and interpretability. <bold>Results:</bold> Six distinct trajectories were identified (Figure 1). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Unique trajectories of concurrent existence of multiple allergic diseases based on medication use can be seen in children. Further research will clarify the early life determinants of the trajectories, their future clinical consequences, as well as how they correspond to previously described trajectories of allergic diseases in children. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA3135/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig> <bold>Figure 1. Identified trajectories of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema based on medication use</bold>