PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allery) 11 year investigation

The PIAMA study (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) is a
combination of an intervention trial and a natural history study of the
development of asthma and allergic disease in childhood. The study has been
ongoing since 1996. The first eight years of follow up is now completed. For
the further follow-up of this cohort we will broaden the focus from allergy and
asthma to early development of other chronic diseases as well. The aim of the
next phase is to investigate changes between the ages of 8 to 13-14 years in
lifestyle, nutrition, physical activity and health related attitudes and
behavior that are relevant to the development of asthma and other chronic
diseases.

The aim of the extended follow-up of the PIAMA cohort is:
To investigate changes during the ages of 8 to 11-12 years in lifestyle,
nutrition, physical activity and health related attitude and behavior that are
relevant to the development of asthma, allergy and other chronic diseases.
Health outcomes that will be studied at the age of 11-12 include asthma, other
allergic diseases (such as eczema and hay fever) and overweight. We will
collect important information on the development and early stages of
cardiovascular disease and diabetes from early markers and we will include
measurements of blood pressure, blood cholesterol, glucose and HbA1c levels in
blood and cortisol levels in saliva. And, we will investigate aspects of
lifestyle that are known to be associated with the development of
cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The PIAMA study *Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy* is a
prospective birth cohort study among children recruited before birth (3 months
of gestational age). At age 11-12 we plan to collect data on clinical endpoints
in addition to the data that will be collected through questionnaires. At age
11-12, changes in lifestyle and behavior will influence the development of body
weight and chronic diseases.
Through a physical examination at age 11, we propose to collect:
A. Serum and plasma to measure
- total IgE and specific IgE to common food allergens (a.o. milk protein and
hen*s egg) and inhalant allergens (mite, cat, dog, alternaria, grasses, trees)
- glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.
B. Lung function measurements
- forced expiratory spirometry including peak flow and FEV1
- nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled air as a marker of airway inflammation (as at
age 4 and 8 years)
C. Anthropometry (mostly as at age 4 and 8 years)
- Height
- Weight
- Sitting height
- Waist circumference
- Hip circumference
D. Measurement of blood pressure
E. Collection of saliva for cortisol determination

The burden to the participants is small: participation for up to 60 minutes in
simple diagnostic tests and one venous blood sample in the own home. The risk
involved in blood sampling by trained personnel is negligible.