The association between asthma, atopic diseases and metabolic factors in a young population of southern Taiwan

• Main Authors: Tsu-Yu Yuan, 袁子喻
• Other Authors: Tsu-Nai Wang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/18110230113369131438

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 公共衛生學研究所 === 99 === Background：The prevalence of asthma and atopy has increased distinctly over the last two decades. Arising prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome has also been observed. Previous studies have proved that obesity cause subsequent development of asthma. But few studies have discussed the relation between metabolic factors and asthma. Objective：This study aimed to assess whether there is an association with asthma, atopy and metabolic factors which include obesity, high serum cholesterol, hypertension and high triglyceride. Materials and methods：The cross-sectional study randomly sampled 7583 subjects ≦ 18 years old from elementary, junior and senior high schools in southern Taiwan. There were 5754 eligible subjects in the ultimate analysis. All subjects completed a questionnaire interview, weight and height data measurements were recorded and blood samples collected. Allergic disorders were determined by the subjects who had ever been diagnosed by a doctor. Body mass index [BMI], blood pressure, the levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol were measured. Furthermore, we conducted a meta-analysis including 13 studies according to criteria to review the association with asthma, BMI and total cholesterol. Results：We found a significant association between asthma and abdominal fat (aOR=4.34，p=0.009) and high concentrations of cholesterol (aOR=1.93，p<0.001) after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Atopy had a significant relationship with borderline level (aOR=1.31，p=0.039) and high level (aOR=1.47，p=0.007) of cholesterol. There was a trend effect between asthma, atopy (p=0.007，p=0.004) and cholesterol. The number of metabolic factors was significantly associated with increasing asthma and atopy risk (p=0.017；p=0.005). Other metabolic factors included blood pressure and triglyceride, but a significant relationship with asthma and atopy was not found after adjusting for confounding factors. We also found a positive relationship with asthma and BMI, but no significant association between asthma and cholesterol in meta-analysis. Conclusion：Asthma patients are more obese, have higher concentrations of cholesterol and more metabolic factors. Although asthma is not related to cholesterol in meta-analysis, metabolic factors could be risk factors to asthma and atopy.