Evidence from Australian cohort studies about asthma trajectories and transitions across the life course: a narrative review

Asthma affects more than 300 million people worldwide and is frequently associated with other medical conditions in adults, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease, and stroke. Despite the huge burden, there has been little progress toward prevention and cure, possibly related to a one-size-fits-all approach. The recent identification of various asthma trajectories over the life course suggests that identifying biomarkers of lifetime transitions could advance progress to prevention and cure. This will require combining data, including for biological samples, from large cohort studies, for analysis using integrated computational biological approaches. We summarise key articles on Australian cohort studies that have characterised asthma trajectories across childhood and adulthood in order to inform research focused on curative approaches. Five Australian cohorts have provided information on childhood and adulthood asthma trajectories and their relationships with early life factors, later life outcomes, and underlying biological mechanisms. Twelve other cohort studies undertaken in Australia could also contribute valuable information. Australian asthma cohort studies have collected a wealth of information across the life course on the drivers, outcomes, and biological mechanisms of asthma. Integrating these resources into harmonised, functionally useful databases will make their data and biospecimens accessible for analysis and research. Australia is well placed for advancing progress in the prevention and cure of asthma.