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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.
Preterm birth is increasingly recognised as adversely influencing lifelong lung function. This Series paper on prematurity-associated lung disease reviews studies reporting longitudinal lung function measurements in individuals who were born preterm. Evidence suggests that preterm birth alters lung function trajectories from early life onwards, with implications for future respiratory morbidity. We propose that this population needs rigorous follow up that should include systematic monitoring of lung function across the lifespan, starting in childhood.
To better characterise prematurity-associated lung disease, adult spirometry phenotype classifications (obstructive lung disease, preserved ratio impaired spirometry and dysanapsis) have been applied to children born preterm. It is unknown how these phenotypes track over time.
Anthropogenic activities are increasing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. There is mounting experimental evidence that lifetime exposure to these increasing atmospheric CO2 levels can negatively impact the normal physiology of organisms. However, directly assessing this in humans is very difficult.
The Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre offers a broad range of outpatient and portable tests for those affected by chronic respiratory conditions.
Portable equipment is available to enable bedside and community-led research in rural and remote communities, including Indigenous communities where children are disproportionately affected by chronic respiratory conditions.
One way the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre provides the opportunity for consumers and community members to contribute to our research is through participation in one of our eight community reference groups.
The discoveries that have set our research apart primarily relate to the factors early in life that cause life-long respiratory problems.
Neuromuscular disorders include many rare conditions, such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy, that adversely impact respiratory health.
The lungs represent a key interface between the body and the environment.