Emma Caffrey Osvald, a Ph.D. student at Karolinska Institutet, has conducted extensive research on asthma and cystic fibrosis, two diseases that significantly impact the lungs. Her thesis explores new factors that could influence the development and outcomes of these diseases.
Osvald’s research reveals that mothers with asthma are more likely to have children with the same condition. However, higher lung function during pregnancy can reduce this likelihood. Interestingly, a mother’s asthma or lung function doesn’t affect a child’s growth.
Her studies also show that parental socioeconomic status, specifically education and income, is associated with the onset of asthma in childhood. Furthermore, having asthma in childhood or young adulthood is linked to an increased risk of death between the ages of 1 and 25.
Osvald’s final study found some correlation between low parental socioeconomic status and severe disease and lung function decline in individuals with cystic fibrosis. However, this status does not impact growth.
Osvald’s interest in epidemiology and her experience as a pediatric pulmonologist has driven her research. She believes that future research should continue to explore the determinants and outcomes of respiratory disease in childhood, with a focus on combining clinical data with register data. This approach could lead to new insights into risk factors for acute respiratory diseases and the outcomes for individuals with asthma and cystic fibrosis. Her work contributes significantly to our understanding of these diseases and could inform the development of clinical guidelines and policies.
Emma Caffrey Osvald’s research provides valuable insights into asthma and cystic fibrosis, highlighting the influence of maternal health and socioeconomic factors. Her work underscores the importance of continued research into respiratory diseases, combining clinical and registered data. This could lead to improved understanding and potentially inform future clinical guidelines and policies.
