Limited knowledge exists about development of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) through adolescence. We aimed to assess changes in and risk factors for BHR in adolescence.

From a Norwegian birth cohort 517 subjects underwent clinical examinations, structured interviews and methacholine challenges at age 10 and 16. BHR was divided into four categories: no BHR (cumulative methacholine dose required to reduce FEV₁ by 20% (PD₂₀) >16 μmol), borderline BHR (PD₂₀ ≤16 and >8 μmol), mild to moderate BHR (PD₂₀ ≤8 and >1 μmol), and severe BHR (PD₂₀ ≤ 1 μmol). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors and possible confounders.

The number of children with PD₂₀ ≤ 8 decreased from 172 (33%) to 79 (15%) from age 10–16 (p < 0.001). Most children (n = 295, 57%) remained in the same BHR (category) from age 10–16 (50% with no BHR), whereas the majority 182 (82%) of the 222 children who changed BHR category, had decreased severity at age 16. PD₂₀ ≤ 8 at age 10 was the major risk factor for PD₂₀ ≤ 8 6 years later (odds ratio 6.3), without significant confounding effect (>25% change) of gender, active rhinitis, active asthma, height, FEV₁/FVC, or allergic sensitization.

BHR decreased overall in severity through adolescence, was stable for the majority of children and only a minority (8%) had increased BHR from age 10 to 16. Mild to moderate and severe BHR at age 10 were major risk factors for PD₂₀ ≤ 8 at 16 years and not modified by asthma or body size.