Gender differences in effects of obesity and asthma on adolescent lung function: Results from a population-based study

Objective: To investigate lung function associated with asthma and body mass index (BMI) among adolescents at 96 northern Taiwan junior high schools participating in an asthma screening program. Methods: The questionnaires and lung function test results measured for 3669 boys and 3523 girls were included in this study for data analysis. Measures of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and FEV₁/FVC ratio were compared by sex, asthma status and BMI. Results: Overall mean FVC levels were similar between students with and without asthma, 3.71 L vs. 3.71 L for boys (p = 0.991) and 2.79 vs. 2.78 for girls (p = 0.517). The overall mean FEV₁ levels were also similar between girls with and without asthma. Asthmatic boys had lower FEV₁ than non-asthmatic boys. Mean FEV₁/FVC was significantly lower in students with asthma than those without asthma. Mean FVC and FEV₁ increased with BMI in both sexes. A lower mean FEV₁/FVC was observed among students with asthma and high BMI, and was more pronounced in boys than in girls. Multivariable regression analysis also showed that FEV₁/FVC ratios were negatively associated with asthma and high BMI, stronger in boys than in girls for asthma (β = ?2.176 (standard errors (SE) = 0.268) vs. ?1.085 (SE = 0.258) and for BMI (β = ?0.309 (SE = 0.025) vs. ?0.218 (SE = 0.029)). Conclusion: This northern Taiwan study suggests that FEV₁/FVC is negatively associated with asthma and high BMI in adolescents, stronger for boys than for girls.     

Effect of Obesity on Asthma Phenotype is Dependent upon Asthma Severity

Background. We recently reported that obese and non-obese patients with asthma have similar airflow limitation and bronchodilator responsiveness, but obese patients have more symptoms overall. There is limited information on the effect of obesity on asthmatics of varying severity measured by objective physiological parameters. Understanding how obesity affects asthmatics of differing severity can provide insights into the pathogenesis of asthma in the obese and a rationale for the therapeutic approach to such patients. Methods. Participants with asthma from two American Lung Association—Asthma Clinical Research Center (ALA-ACRC) studies were grouped by tertiles of airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁%) predicted, FEV₁/forced vital capacity (FVC)) and methacholine reactivity (PC₂₀FEV₁). Within each tertile, we examined the independent effect of body mass index (BMI), divided into normal weight, overweight, and obese categories, on lung function, airway reactivity, and symptoms. Results. Overall, both FEV₁ and FVC decreased and symptoms worsened with increasing BMI; airway reactivity was unchanged. When stratified by the degree of airflow obstruction, higher BMI was not associated with greater airway reactivity to methacholine. Higher BMI was associated with more asthma symptoms only in the least obstructed FEV₁/FVC tertile. When stratified by degree of airway reactivity, BMI was inversely associated with FVC in all PC₂₀FEV₁ tertiles. BMI was directly associated with asthma symptoms only in those with the least airway reactivity. Conclusions. Obesity does not influence airway reactivity in patients with asthma and it is associated with more symptoms only in those with less severe disease.     

Serum levels of adiponectin and leptin in asthmatic patients and its relation with asthma severity,lung function and BMI

IntroductionAsthma is one of the diseases which has a high prevalence in developed and developing countries. The relationship between asthma and obesity has always been focused by researchers. In this field, adipokines, especially adiponectin and leptin have highly attended by the scientist. The aim of this study was to determine the serum level of adiponectin, leptin and the leptin/adiponectin ratio in asthmatic patients and its relationship with disease severity, lung function and BMI (body mass index).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 90 asthmatic women admitted to the tertiary referral hospital in Kurdistan province – Iran, were examined. First, BMI was measured and then pulmonary function tests were performed in all asthmatics patient. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC, were measured. At the end, blood samples were collected and serum level of adiponectin and leptin were measured by ELISA method.ResultSerum leptin and leptin/adiponectin levels correlated positively with asthma severity and BMI (p = 0.0001), but there was no correlation between adiponectin level with asthma severity and BMI (p > 0.05), also serum leptin and leptin/adiponectin levels inversely correlated with FEV1 and FVC in patient (p = 0.0001).ConclusionAsthma is linked with obesity, and there is an association between asthma severity and BMI with serum leptin and leptin/adiponectin levels, but our results do not support a significant role of adiponectin in obesity or asthma.     

Obesity can influence children’s and adolescents’ airway hyperresponsiveness differently

Background

Literature is still arguing about a possible relationship between airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and body mass index (BMI). This study aimed at evaluating the influence of BMI on AHR and pulmonary function in children and adolescents that performed a methacholine test for suggestive asthma symptoms.

Methods

799 consecutive children/adolescents (535 M; mean age: 15 ± 3 yrs; median FEV₁% predicted: 101.94% [93.46-111.95] and FEV₁/FVC predicted: 91.07 [86.17-95.38]), were considered and divided into underweight, normal, overweight and obese. Different AHR levels were considered as moderate/severe (PD₂₀ ≤ 400 μg) and borderline (PD₂₀ > 400 μg).

Results

536 children/adolescents resulted hyperreactive with a median PD₂₀ of 366 μg [IQR:168–1010.5]; 317 patients were affected by moderate/severe AHR, whereas 219 showed borderline hyperresponsiveness. Obese subjects aged > 13 years showed a lower (p = 0.026) median PD₂₀ (187μg [IQR:110–519]) compared to overweight (377 μg [IQR:204–774]) and normal-weight individuals’ values (370.5 μg [IQR:189–877]). On the contrary, median PD₂₀ observed in obese children aged ≤ 13 years (761 μg [IQR:731–1212]) was higher (p = 0.052) compared to normal-weight children’s PD20 (193 μg [IQR:81–542]) and to obese adolescents’ values (aged > 13 years) (p = 0.019). Obesity was a significant AHR risk factor (OR:2.853[1.037-7.855]; p = 0.042) in moderate/severe AHR adolescents. Females showed a higher AHR risk (OR:1.696[1.046-2.751] p = 0.032) compared to males. A significant relationship was found between BMI and functional parameters (FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC) only in hyperreactive females.

Conclusions

Obesity seems to influence AHR negatively in female but not in male adolescents and children. In fact, AHR is higher in obese teenagers, in particular in those with moderate/severe hyperresponsiveness, and may be mediated by obesity-associated changes in baseline lung function.

     

Unchanged asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in non-diabetic, premenopausal obese women who have common risk factors for cardiovascular disease

This study was performed to test whether plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations are related to obesity and obesity complications including decrement in insulin sensitivity and adiponectin levels, dyslipidemia and low-grade inflammation. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations were analyzed by HPLC in 17 overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) and 40 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) premenopausal women. Age-matched healthy women were studied as controls. Obesity did not give rise to a significant change in circulating ADMA levels but reduced in SDMA levels. As compared with control subjects (0.441 ± 0.102 μM), ADMA values in overweight and obese subjects were found to be as 0.412 ± 0.102 and 0.436 ± 0.093, respectively. No Pearson’s association of ADMA with relevant risk variables for cardiovascular disease, including blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, inflammatory markers, lipid and adiponectin levels. However, in linear regression analysis, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and IL-8 emerged as significant predictors of ADMA. In spite of obese women have elevated hs-CRP, triglyceride levels and decreased insulin sensitivity, adiponectin and HDL-cholesterol levels, all of which is closely linked risk factors for cardiovascular disease, circulating ADMA levels remained unchanged in obese individuals as compared with controls.     

Altered distribution of adiponectin isoforms in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS): association with insulin sensitivity and circulating satiety peptide hormones

Objective Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic syndrome characterized by relative hypoinsulinaemia and normal or increased insulin sensitivity despite profound obesity. We hypothesized that this increased insulin sensitivity is mediated by increased levels of total and high molecular weight adiponectin and associated with changes in levels of satiety hormones. Design, patients and measurements We measured total adiponectin and its isoforms [high molecular weight (HMW), middle molecular weight (MMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) adiponectin] and satiety hormones in 14 children with PWS [median age 11·35 years, body mass index (BMI) Z‐score 2·15] and 14 BMI‐matched controls (median age 11·97 years, BMI Z‐score 2·34). Results Despite comparable BMI Z‐scores and leptin levels, the PWS children exhibited lower fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) scores compared to obese controls. For any given BMI Z‐score, the PWS children showed higher concentrations of fasting total and HMW adiponectin and higher HMW/total adiponectin ratios. The HMW/total adioponectin ratio was preserved in children with PWS at high degrees of obesity. In PWS children, fasting plasma total adiponectin, HMW adiponectin and HMW/total adiponectin ratio correlated negatively with age (P < 0·05), HOMA‐IR (P < 0·01), BMI Z‐score (P < 0·05), insulin (P < 0·01) and leptin (P < 0·05). In addition to higher fasting ghrelin concentrations, the PWS children showed significantly higher fasting levels of total peptide YY (PYY) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) compared to obese controls. Conclusions Relative to controls of similar age and BMI Z‐score, the PWS children had significantly higher levels of total and HMW adiponectin, and increased ratios of HMW/total adiponectin. These findings may explain in part the heightened insulin sensitivity of PWS children relative to BMI‐matched controls.     

In vivo nitric oxide synthesis, insulin sensitivity, and asymmetric dimethylarginine in obese subjects without and with metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is associated with impaired endothelial function. Here the association between nitric oxide (NO) production and insulin sensitivity (Si) in obese subjects with and without MetSyn was evaluated. The relationship between NO production and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) was also explored. Seven healthy normal-weight subjects (male/female [M/F], 3/4; age, 27.4 ± 10.9 years; body mass index [BMI], 21.9 ± 2.2 kg/m(2)), 7 obese subjects without MetSyn (M/F, 1/6; age, 48.0 ± 8.0 years; BMI, 34.5 ± 2.3 kg/m(2)), and 7 with MetSyn (M/F, 3/4; age, 48.0 ± 10.7 years; BMI, 33.4 ± 2.9 kg/m(2)) were recruited. Body composition and cardiometabolic functions (blood pressure, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, ADMA) were measured. A frequent sampling intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed to measure Si. A novel stable isotopic method was used to measure in vivo rates of NO production. The NO production was lower in obese subjects with MetSyn compared with normal-weight subjects and obese subjects without MetSyn. Similarly, Si was significantly lower in obesity, both without and with MetSyn, compared with the control group. A significant direct association was found between NO synthesis and Si (ρ = 0.47, P = .03). Circulating levels of ADMA were significantly higher in the obese group with MetSyn. A nonsignificant negative trend between ADMA and NO synthesis was observed. The association between Si and NO production suggests a close mechanistic link between endothelial function and insulin signaling. The results may be highly informative for the development of controlled longitudinal interventions to improve endothelial and metabolic regulation.     

The Association between BMI and COPD: The Results of Two Population-based Studies in Guangzhou,China

Abstract

Background and Objective: An association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and low body mass index (BMI) has been well established in cross-sectional studies. However, there have been few cohort studies investigating this issue. We therefore aimed to address this gap. Methods: Two population-based studies, a cross-sectional study including 1818 subjects and a subsequent 4-year cohort study consisting of 759 individuals without COPD, were conducted in Guangzhou, China. Every subject was 40 years old or older at the time of recruitment and completed questionnaire interviews, anthropometric measurements and spirometry testing. As a follow-up, each subject underwent annual pre-bronchodilator spirometry testing. Subjects with a pre-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC <0.7 were required to undergo post-bronchodilator spirometry testing. Subjects with a post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC <0.7 were diagnosed with COPD. Results: Compared to subjects with normal BMI (18.5 to 23.9 kg/m²), those with low BMI (<18.5 kg/m²) had a higher prevalence of COPD (21.1% vs. 7.5%), with an adjusted OR of 2.75 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.69 to 4.47]. Both low BMI and obese (≥28.0 kg/m²) subjects had lower FEV₁ after adjustment. This association was further confirmed in the cohort study; non-COPD subjects with low BMI at baseline were more likely to develop COPD (RR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.06 to 7.85), independent of smoking status and other confounders. Conclusions: Low BMI was not only a systemic consequence of COPD but also an important risk factor for the development of COPD, which raises the possibility that early intervention in subjects with low BMI may reduce the incidence of COPD.     

Weight Status and Respiratory Health in Asthmatic Children

In this study,we explored the effect of adiposity as measured by BMI on lung function in 72 asthmatic school children (5–12 years) using baseline data from the Mediterranean diet enriched with fatty fish intervention study. Bronchial function was assessed using spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). BMI categories were classified as normal and overweight/obese based on International Obesity Task Force cut-offs. Weak correlations were observed between BMI and FVC (p = 0.013) and FEV₁ (p = 0.026). Median FeNO was lower in the overweight/obese as compared to normal weight group (p = 0.027). Linear regression showed an increment in FEF_25–75% in the overweight/obese group as compared to normal weight after controlling for confounders namely age, height, sex, regular physical activity, medication and KIDMED score (p = 0.043; β = 11.65 units, 95% CI 0.36–22.94), although with no effect on FeNO. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that excess body weight could impact pulmonary dynamics in childhood asthma.

     

The effect of obesity on pulmonary lung function of school aged children in Greece

Obesity impacts on many issues of pulmonary medicine, where it is debated if obesity is linked to asthma, atopy or altered lung function tests. Our study aimed to investigate primarily the effect of obesity on the lung function tests and secondary the possible link of obesity with atopy and asthma in a large cohort of children in Greece. Body mass index (BMI) and data from a questionnaire for lung health, atopy, nutritional habits and family history were obtained from 2,715 children aged 6–11 years. Six hundred fifty‐seven children with BMI>85th percentile (357 overweight, 300 obese) and a group of 196 normal weight children underwent spirometry. The % expected FVC, FEV₁, FEF_25–75, and FEV1/FVC were significantly reduced in overweight or obese children compared to children with normal weight (P = 0.007, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Reported atopy was significantly higher in overweight or obese children compared to normal weight children (P = 0.008). High BMI remained a strong independent risk factor for asthma (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.22–3.87, P = 0.009) and for atopy (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.32–3.22, P = 0.002). The effect of increased BMI on asthma was significant in girls, but not in boys (OR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.09–6.85, P = 0.032; OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 0.83–3.73, P = 0.137, respectively). In conclusion we have shown that high BMI remains an important determinant of reduced spirometric parameters, a risk factor for atopy in both genders and for asthma in girls. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:273–280. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Clinical characterization of children with resistant airflow obstruction,a multicenter study

Objective: To characterize a cohort of children with airflow limitation resistant to bronchodilator (BD) therapy. Methods: Pulmonary function tests performed in children 6–17 years of age at 15 centers in a clinical research consortium were screened for resistant airflow limitation, defined as a post-BD FEV₁ and/or an FEV₁/FVC less than the lower limits of normal. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed for associations with pulmonary function. Results: 582 children were identified. Median age was 13 years (IQR: 11, 16), 60% were males; 62% were Caucasian, 28% were African-American; 19% were obese; 32% were born prematurely and 21% exposed to second hand smoke. Pulmonary diagnoses included asthma (93%), prior significant pneumonia (28%), and bronchiectasis (5%). 65% reported allergic rhinitis, and 11% chronic sinusitis. Subjects without a history of asthma had significantly lower post-BD FEV₁% predicted (p = 0.008). Subjects without allergic rhinitis had lower post-BD FEV₁% predicted (p = 0.003). Children with allergic rhinitis, male sex, obesity and Black race had better pulmonary function post-BD. There was lower pulmonary function in children after age 11 years without a history of allergic rhinitis, as compared to those with a history of allergic rhinitis. Conclusions: The most prevalent diagnosis in children with BD-resistant airflow limitation is asthma. Allergic rhinitis and premature birth are common co-morbidities. Children without a history of asthma, as well as those with asthma but no allergic rhinitis, had lower pulmonary function. Children with BD-resistant airflow limitation may represent a sub-group of children with persistent obstruction and high risk for life-long airway disease.     

Short-term treatment with ezetimibe, simvastatin or their combination does not alter circulating adiponectin, resistin or leptin levels in healthy men

Objective Statin therapy decreases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and ezetimibe, a novel cholesterol absorption inhibitor has both lipid‐lowering and anti‐atherosclerotic effects in animal models. As several adipokines, that is, adiponectin, high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, leptin and/or possibly resistin are involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidaemia and atherosclerosis, we investigated whether ezetimibe and/or statin treatment may modulate serum concentrations of these four major adipokines. Research design and methods One‐centre, randomized, parallel three‐group study in 72 healthy men [mean age 32 ± 9 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 25·7 ± 3·2 kg/m²]. Patients Seventy‐two healthy men. Each group of 24 subjects received a 14‐day treatment with either ezetimibe (10 mg/day), simvastatin (40 mg/day) or their combination. Blood was drawn before and after the 14‐day treatment period. Measurements Lipid levels, IR indices, serum leptin, adiponectin, HMW adiponectin and resistin concentrations. Results Neither ezetimibe nor simvastatin or their combination had any effect on serum leptin, adiponectin, HMW adiponectin and resistin concentrations. Baseline leptin levels correlated positively, while adiponectin and HMW adiponectin negatively, with BMI. Leptin concentrations correlated negatively while adiponectin and HMW adiponectin positively with plasma high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol concentrations. Resistin concentrations were not associated with BMI, lipid levels or indicators of IR. Conclusions Treatment with ezetimibe, simvastatin or their combination does not alter circulating levels of adiponectin, leptin or resistin in adult healthy men.     

腹腔镜袖状胃切除术后肥胖患者肺功能变化与炎症介质及脂肪因子的相关性分析

目的探究肥胖患者在接受腹腔镜袖状胃切除术（LSG）治疗后6个月时肺功能的变化并评估其与炎症介质及脂肪因子的相关性。 方法回顾性分析2019年1月至2020年5月在安徽医科大学第二附属医院行LSG手术的116例肥胖患者的病例资料,比较术前及术后6个月患者体重、体质量指数（BMI）、肺功能、脂肪因子及炎症介质等指标的变化,并进一步分析肺功能的变化与炎症介质及脂肪因子之间相关性。本研究共纳入116例行LSG手术的病态肥胖患者,其中男性53例,女性63例,平均年龄（32.52±6.08）岁,BMI（43.35±7.20） kg/m²。 结果术后6个月体重、BMI、颈围、腰围及腹围较术前均明显降低（P<0.05）,用力肺活量（FVC）、第一秒用力呼气量（FEV1）、第一秒用力肺活量占用力肺活量的百分比（FEV1/FVC）、最大呼气中期流速（MMEF75/25）等肺功能指标在术后6个月均明显改善（P<0.05）。瘦素（leptin）、肿瘤坏死因子-a（TNF-a）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、C-反应蛋白（CRP）水平在术后6个月均明显降低（P<0.05）;白细胞介素-10（IL -10）及脂联素（adiponectin）在术后6个月均显著升高（P<0.05）。术前TNF-a、IL-6、CRP、leptin与FEV1呈负相关,adiponectin与FVC呈正相关,而TNF-a、leptin与FVC呈负相关;而在术后6个月,IL-6与FEV1呈负相关;adiponectin与FVC呈显著正相关;而TNF-a与FVC呈负相关。 结论LSG可显著改善肥胖患者肺功能,肺功能的改善可能与术后脂肪因子及炎症介质的水平变化有关。     

Obesity is not Associated with Mild Asthma Diagnosis in a Population of Spanish Adults

Background. Several studies have suggested a relationship between asthma and obesity. Moreover, atopy is an important risk factor for asthma, but the relationship between obesity and atopy is uncertain. Methods. A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in a population of Spanish adults between November 2007 and July 2008. The subjects included had experienced asthma symptoms in the last year but had a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity (FVC) > 70%. Mild asthma diagnosis was confirmed by measuring airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Body mass index in kg/m² was used as measure of obesity. Subjects were considered atopic when they had at least one positive skin prick test to common aeroallergens. Adjusted odd ratios (OR) were obtained by logistic regression. Results. A total of 662 subjects were included and 234 subjects (35.3%) were diagnosed with asthma (consistent symptoms and positive methacholine test). After adjusting the model for age, gender, atopy, baseline FEV₁, and FEV₁/FVC ratio, there was no association between overweight or obesity with asthma diagnosis, with OR of 0.889 (95% CI, 0.60–1.38) and 0.925 (95% CI, 0.577–1.48), respectively. A multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed that atopy increases the risk of asthma (p = 0.008). The non-atopic obese group had an increased risk of asthma compared to the non-atopic group with normal weight or overweight (p = 0.0032). Conclusions. In this study obesity was not associated with a diagnosis of asthma. The presence of atopy was a risk factor for asthma, independent of obesity. Obesity, however, may be a risk factor for the development of asthma among non-atopic subjects.     

No relationship between lung function and high-sensitive C-reactive protein in adolescence

Introduction: Several studies on adults have indicated that lower spirometric lung function may be associated with increased systemic inflammation, but no studies have investigated if this association is already present in adolescence. Objective: We explored the temporal relationship between changes in lung function and concentrations of plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP) in a population‐based cohort study at ages 14 and 20 years using a high‐sensitivity CRP assay. Methods: CRP measurements were performed in a total of 420 subjects at mean age of 13.9 years. Of these, 262 subjects (62%) participated in the follow‐up investigation at mean age of 20.1 years. Results: Levels of log‐CRP at age 14 were not significantly associated with forced expiratory volume (FEV₁) or FEV₁/ forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio at age 20, nor with the change in FEV₁, FVC or FEV₁/FVC ratio between 14 and 20 years after controlling for body mass index (BMI), airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), asthma, smoking, sex, and height at 14 years, and change in height between 14 and 20 years. Sex, BMI, AHR, ECP and change in height between 14 and 20 years were identified as independent factors associated with the change in FEV₁, FVC and FEV₁/FVC ratio in adolescence. Conclusion: We did not find an association between CRP levels at age 14 and change in lung function by age 20; whereas, sex, change in height, BMI, AHR and ECP were associated with lung function change in adolescence. Our findings indicate that systemic inflammation is of less importance for change in lung function in adolescence. Please cite this paper as: Nybo M, Hansen HS, Siersted HC and Rasmussen F. No relationship between lung function and high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein in adolescence. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2010; 4: 230–236.     

Nocturnal Reflux in Children and Adolescents with Persistent Asthma and Gastroesophageal Reflux

Background. A higher frequency of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in adult patients with respiratory symptoms has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of nocturnal GER by using prolonged intraesophageal pH monitoring and compare it with spirometry results in children with persistent asthma. Methods. Thirty-eight patients with persistent asthma for at least 2 years were studied. Gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of GER were considered as regurgitation, heartburn, and abdominal pain. All patients underwent prolonged intraesophageal pH study and spirometry. GER was considered positive when a reflux index (RI) was higher than 5%. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), forced mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF_{25 ? 75%}), and FEV₁/FVC ratio were measured. Results. Median age was 10 years of age (range 5 to 15) and 58% were male; GER prevalence was 47.3%. Median (range) of reflux index during supine and upright periods from GER patients were, respectively, 8.7% (3.2 to 23.6) and 10.5% (5.2 to 15.0) (p = 0.913), and only FEF_{25 ? 75%} was below the predicted value: 54.5% (39.4 to 96.9). Reflux index was not significantly correlated with FVC, FEV₁ and FEF_{25 ? 75%}. Conclusions. A high prevalence of GER was found in children and adolescents with persistent asthma, equally distributed in the supine (nocturnal) and upright positions. There was no correlation with pulmonary function test.     

Adiponectin in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

To study the role of adiponectin, a novel adipocyte-specific secreted protein, on the pathophysiology of eating disorders, circulating levels of fasting adiponectin, leptin, insulin, and glucose were measured in 31 female patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and in 11 with bulimia nervosa. Hormone levels were compared with 16 age-matched, normal body weight controls, six healthy constitutionally thin subjects, and nine obese subjects. Moreover, changes in levels were reevaluated after nutritional treatment and weight gain in 13 patients with AN. Serum adiponectin concentrations in AN and bulimia nervosa were significantly lower than those in normal-weight controls. These results were unexpected because the levels were high in constitutionally thin subjects and low in obese subjects, which provide a negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) and body fat mass. In contrast, serum leptin levels correlated very well with BMI and fat mass among all the patients and controls. The insulin resistance was significantly low in AN and high in obese subjects. The concentrations of adiponectin after weight recovery increased to the normal level despite a relatively small increase in BMI. These findings suggest that abnormal feeding behavior in the patients with eating disorders may reduce circulating adiponectin level, and weight recovery can restore it.     

Waist circumference associated with pulmonary function in children

In adults abdominal obesity is related to lung dysfunction and waist circumference (WC) predicts pulmonary function. It is not known how WC affects pulmonary function in children. A cross‐sectional study of 718 children 6–17 years of age was conducted in a rural community to determine the predictability of WC for pulmonary function in children. Height, weight, WC, and pulmonary function were measured. Multivariate analysis was conducted. WC was positively associated with FVC and FEV₁ and was more strongly associated with FVC than with FEV₁. Increase in WC significantly predicted a reduction in FEV₁/FVC. After adjustment for sex, age, and height, an increase of 1 cm for WC was associated with an increase of 7 ml of FVC and 4 ml of FEV₁, and with an increase of 4 ml of FVC and 2 ml of FEV₁ with an additional adjustment for weight. Height and weight were not significantly associated with FEV₁/FVC. WC but not body mass index predicted a decline of FEV₁/FVC. WC had a larger impact on FVC than FEV₁. WC, but not BMI, was negatively associated with FEV₁/FVC in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:216–221. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Relationship of salivary adipocytokines,diet quality,physical activity,and nutrition status in adult Emirati females in United Arab Emirates

AimsThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks as the fifth most obese country with increasing cardio-metabolic risks. In this paper, relationships of salivary adipocytokines (markers of cardio-metabolic syndrome), diet quality and physical activity in 90 normal-weight, overweight and obese (30 subjects in each group) Emirati adult females were investigated.MethodsA cross-sectional research design was adopted. Anthropometric measurements, diet quality and physical activity questionnaires were administered. Overnight fasting saliva was collected to determine levels of adiponectin, interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).ResultsSalivary adiponectin was significantly lower, while TNF-α was higher in obese than normal-weight subjects. IL-10 displayed a lower trend in obese subjects. Though diet quality and physical activity did not exhibit significant differences among the three groups, better diet quality and higher physical activity level were reported among normal-weight subjects. Salivary TNF-α correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.37; p < 0.001) and waist circumference (r = 0.31; p < 0.001), while adiponectin correlated negatively with BMI (r = −0.28; p < 0.05). IL-10 showed negative trend in correlation with obesity measures. Correlations were not observed between diet quality and physical activity with salivary adipocytokines. Interestingly, a significant negative correlation emerged between diet quality and neck circumference (r = −0.24; p < 0.05).ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that salivary adipocytokines correlate with obesity measures and can serve as convenient adjunct method in predicting cardio-metabolic risks in the population.     

Obesity in aspirin-tolerant and aspirin-intolerant asthmatics

Background and objective: Obesity is an important factor in the development of asthma. Aspirin hypersensitivity affects 5–10% of asthmatics. The association between obesity and aspirin hypersensitivity in asthma is unclear. This study evaluated the association of BMI and asthma in patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) and aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA). Methods: Aspirin provocation tests were performed in 667 asthmatic patients and changes in FEV₁ were used to categorize patients as ATA or AIA. The BMI of asthmatics was graded using the percentile BMI of 406 normal controls. Results: Aspirin-induced changes in FEV₁% ranged from 15% to 68%. Compared with the controls, the ATA group had a higher BMI (24.5 ± 0.1 vs 23.8 ± 0.2 kg/m², P = 0.001). The AIA group had a lower BMI. The aspirin-induced percentage fall in FEV₁ was inversely correlated with BMI in asthmatic patients (r = −0.094, P = 0.016). BMI was correlated with age and PC20, but not with FEV₁ in asthmatic patients. In a logistic regression adjusted for age, gender, and smoking status, FEV₁ and PC20 were associated with AIA with odds ratios of 0.986 and 0.586, respectively. BMI was associated with AIA with an odds ratio of 0.916. Conclusions: Aspirin intolerance in asthmatics explains the lesser association with obesity. Obesity is not a risk factor in the development of asthma in patients with AIA.