The risk factors for asthma in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To identify risk factors for asthma in adolescents and provide a reference for disease management. PubMed, Embase, Web of science and Cochrane library were searched from inception to November 1st, 2024. The quality was evaluated by using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the New Ottawa Scal. The range of scores for inclusion in the study was 7–9. Heterogeneous results were pooled using a random-effects model and reported as odds ratio (OR). Fifteen studies comprising 73,314 participants were included. The results of forest map showed that a total of 12 risk factors were associated with asthma in adolescents. Previous hypersensitivity reaction (OR 2.87 [95% CI 2.50–3.31]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), history of family hypersensitivity reaction (OR 2.35 [95% CI 1.93–2.86]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), history of family asthma (OR 2.48 [95% CI 1.97–3.12]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), active smoking (OR 1.47 [95% CI 1.28, 1.69]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), exposure to secondhand smoke (OR 1.27 [95% CI 1.20–1.34]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), domestic animals (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.13–1.29]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), outdoor pollution (OR 1.27 [95% CI 1.15, 1.41]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and biofuel (OR 1.10 [95% CI 1.02–1.19]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and obese/overweight (OR 1.26 [95% CI 1.13–1.40]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), private school (OR 1.82 [95% CI 1.52–2.18]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and female (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.11–1.32]; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) were found to be correlated. This study may provide a reference to inform the development of preventive strategies and management of adolescent asthma.