Melbourne Epidemiological Study of Childhood Asthma (MESCA).

Dinh S Bui, Andrew Tai, Jiacheng Liu, Jennifer L Perret, Caroline J Lodge, Nur Sabrina Idrose, Mary Roberts, Colin Robertson, Shyamali C Dharmage

Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

The Melbourne Epidemiological Study of Childhood Asthma (MESCA) is one of the longest-running respiratory studies in the world. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and describe the natural history of childhood asthma and wheezy bronchitis. MESCA started in 1964, when four asthma/wheeze groups and a control group, all aged 7, were recruited and have been followed into their seventh decade. The study has collected unique, repeated data on asthma, respiratory symptoms, and lung function over seven decades. It has provided critical insights into the natural history and long-term outcomes of childhood asthma. MESCA is the first prospective study to provide robust evidence for the link between childhood asthma and the development of COPD. Participants are now entering their seventh decade of life, and their rich, lifetime data provides a unique opportunity to investigate a wide range of outcomes, including multimorbidity and healthy aging.

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Research summary

The study provides evidence linking childhood asthma to the development of COPD in later life. This research is relevant as it explores the long-term outcomes of a chronic condition that can influence aging and multimorbidity in older adults.

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