PhD defence by Emilie Johanning Bari

Progression from mild to severe asthma: risk factors and mechanisms

Assessment Committee:
Professor Jens-Ulrik Stæhr Jensen, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen (Chairperson)
Professor Uffe Christian Steinholtz Bødtger, Region Sjælland and University of Southern Denmark
Associate professor John Brannan, University of Newcastle

Supervisors:
Clinical Professor Celeste Michala Porsbjerg
Associate Researcher Mandy Menzel
PhD Susanne Hansen
MD, PhD Morten Winther Hvidtfeldt

Department:
Department of Clinical Medicine

Graduate Programme:
Airways, Anesthesiology and Skin

Place:
12, Room: Lassen auditorium, Nielsine Nielsens vej 12, 2400 KBH NV

Email address to gain access to the thesis: emilie.johanning@gmail.com
You will either receive a copy of the thesis or be informed where you can read a physical copy.

Short description of the thesis:
Asthma usually begins as a mild and manageable disease, but in some patients it progresses into severe asthma with persistent symptoms, recurrent exacerbations, and reduced quality of life. This PhD thesis explores why this progression occurs and how patients at risk may be identified earlier. Through registry-based, clinical, and experimental studies, the thesis investigates the role of allergy, recurrent respiratory infections, airway hyperresponsiveness, and airway epithelial immune responses. Together, the findings suggest that severe asthma may develop through a self-perpetuating cycle of inflammation, infections, and exacerbations. A better understanding of these early risk signals may support more personalised treatment and prevention strategies.