Body mass index and the risk of asthma in adults

Asthma and obesity are both chronic conditions and their prevalences have risen in affluent societies. A positive association between asthma and being overweight or obese has been reported in children and women, but associations in men are less clearly described. The objective of this study was to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and asthma in men and women of diverse ethnic and socioeconomic background living in New York State, USA. In this study, we analyzed cross-sectional data on 5524 subjects aged 18 years and older who were interviewed by telephone in the 1996 and 1997 New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Asthma (doctor-diagnosed), and weight and height were self-reported. BMI (kg/m2) was used as a measure of adiposity. Weighted logistic regression analysis, with stratification by gender and age, was used to examine the relationship between asthma prevalence and BMI, adjusting for race/ethnicity, education, health insurance, time since last physical examination, physical activity and smoking status. The results showed that the prevalence of asthma was 4.6% (CI: 3.6-5.5%) among men and 8.1% (CI: 7.1-9.1%) among women. In women, the prevalence of asthma was significantly increased in those with a BMI 25 kg/m2 or higher (BMI 25-27.5: OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.06-2.94; BMI 27.5-29.9: OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.41-4.25; BMI > or = 30: OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.66-4.29) when compared to the reference category (BMI: 22-24.9 kg/m2). In men, the prevalence of asthma was increased in the lowest weight category, BMI < 22 kg/m2 (OR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.37-6.78) and in the highest category, BMI > or = 30 kg/m2 (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.39-6.14). This U-shaped association persisted when restricting the analysis to men who had never smoked and was more pronounced for those between 18 and 49 years of age. In conclusion, this cross-sectional study showed that men and women differ significantly in the association between BMI and asthma prevalence only with respect to the lowest weight category. While women had a monotonic association, men showed a U-shaped relationship, indicating that both extremes of weight are associated with a higher prevalence of asthma.     

Obesity is independently associated with impaired quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Obesity is a modifiable major cause of morbidity and mortality in the general population, but little is known about the association of obesity and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thus, we set out a study to test the hypothesis that obesity is independently associated with lower quality of life in patients with RA. Three hundred and fifty nine patients with RA underwent an interview, physical exam, and all clinical charts were reviewed. Based on body mass index (BMI), patients were classified as normal (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI = 25-29.9 kg/m(2)), and obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)). Quality of life was quantified with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36). Data obtained included demographic variables, extra-articular disease, comorbidities, presence of X-ray erosions, rheumatoid factor, and depression. The association between obesity and quality of life was examined with the use of multiple lineal regression models. One hundred and seventy-two patients (47.9%) had normal BMI, 126 (35.1%) were overweight, and 61 patients (17%) were obese. Obese patients had lower quality of life (30.8 +/- 18.1) than overweight patients (43.3 +/- 20.1) and patients with normal weight (43.8 +/- 22.2), P < 0.001. The association between obesity and impaired quality of life was confirmed with a linear regression model (Coef = -12.9, P < 0.001) and remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, disease activity, extra-articular disease, comorbidities, X-ray erosions, presence of rheumatoid factor, depression, education, and disease duration (Coef = -5.3, P = 0.039). In conclusion, obesity is independently associated with the impaired quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Effect of obesity on asthma among adult Indian women

OBJECTIVE: Both obesity and asthma are on the rise worldwide. This study examined the association between obesity and asthma prevalence in adult women in India. METHODS: The analysis used information on 82 464 nonpregnant, ever-married women aged 15-49 y, included in India's 1998-99 National Family Health Survey. The effects of measured Body Mass Index (BMI) on reported asthma were estimated using logistic regression, after adjusting for tobacco smoking (active and passive), cooking smoke, age, education, work status, media habits, food habits, house type, separate kitchen, indoor crowding, religion, caste/tribe, household living standard, urban/rural residence, and geographic region. RESULTS: Obese women (BMI>/=30.0 kg/m(2)) were about twice as likely as those with a normal BMI (18.5-25.0 kg/m(2)) to report suffering from asthma (OR=1.92; 95% CI: 1.40-2.65). The association between obesity and asthma remained strong and statistically significant even when the effects of other selected risk factors and potential confounders were controlled (OR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.30-2.63). Overweight women (25.0相似文献   

Body composition and clinical symptoms in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis: Results from the KHOALA cohort

ObjectiveTo analyze the associations between body composition, notably low lean mass, and clinical symptoms [pain, physical function, quality of life (QoL)] in patients with symptomatic hip and/or knee OA.MethodsCross-sectional study using data from the 3-year follow-up visit of the Knee and Hip OsteoArthritis Long-term assessment (KHOALA) cohort. Skeletal muscle and fat mass were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fat mass index (FMI) was defined as total fat mass/height². Appendicular lean mass was adjusted on body mass index (ALM/BMI), and low lean mass was defined according to the definition of FNIH Sarcopenia Project recommendations. Pain and function were measured by the WOMAC index and QoL by the SF-36.ResultsIn total, 358 patients underwent DXA (67% women, mean [SD] age 63.4 [8.4] years, mean BMI 29.5 [5.6] kg/m²). The visual analog scale (0–100) pain score was 38.0 [24.7] and 25.4% had hip and 74.6% knee OA. Low lean mass and ALM/BMI were associated with impaired QoL and WOMAC scores on bivariate analysis (all p ≤ 0.001) but not on multivariate analysis after adjustment for FMI. For patients with normal BMI, mean [SD] WOMAC scores were higher (greater impairment) with low lean mass than normal body composition (WOMAC function 33.4 [23.3] and 24.0 [17.4], p = 0.02), and mean SF-36 physical component score was lower (greater impairment) 40.3 [10.2] and (44.3 [8.4], p = 0.04). Among patients with obesity, low lean mass had no additional effect.ConclusionFor patients with OA and normal BMI, QoL and function were more impaired for those with than without low lean mass. Conserving muscle mass in people with OA could have functional and antalgic benefits especially for those with normal BMI.     

Early anthropometric measures and reproductive factors as predictors of body mass index and obesity among older women

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether early anthropometric measures and reproductive factors were associated with body mass index (BMI), overweight, and obesity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational study. SUBJECTS: In all, 18 109 healthy women who participated in the Swedish Mammography Cohort aged 49-83 y. MEASUREMENTS: Early anthropometric (birthweight and body shape at age 10 y) and reproductive (age at menarche, age at the birth of the first child, and parity) variables were our predictors and current BMI, overweight (BMI 25-29.99 kg/m(2)), and obesity (BMI > or =30 kg/m(2)) were our outcomes. RESULTS: In multivariate-adjusted polytomous logistic regression analysis, risk of overweight and obesity increased with increasing body shape at age 10 y and decreased with increasing age at menarche and age at first birth (P for trend <0.0001). A U-shaped relation with birthweight was observed. In our tests for effect modification of the relation with overweight/obesity (ow/ob; BMI > or =25 kg/m(2)), we detected significant interactions between body shape at 10 y and age (P<0.0001); body shape at 10 y and physical activity (P<0.0001); age at first birth and smoking (P=0.02); and parity and physical activity (P=0.004). The increased risk of ow/ob among women who reported a larger childhood body shape was reduced as women moved from the lowest to highest quartile of physical activity in adulthood. Likewise, the increasing risk of ow/ob among women with greater parity was reduced with increased physical activity. CONCLUSION: Early anthropometric measures and reproductive factors are significantly associated with BMI, overweight, and obesity among older women. The effects of childhood body weight, age at first birth, and parity may be modified by adult lifestyle choices, as well as age.     

448例老年人体脂分布特征及其与糖代谢障碍的关系

目的　探讨老年人体重指数 (BMI)和腰臀围比值 (WHR)的分布特征 ,分析肥胖与糖代谢障碍的关系。方法　选取 6 0～ 85岁接受口服葡萄糖耐量试验 (OGTT)的老年人 44 8例 ,按不同年龄层和不同BMI分组 ,进行统计分析。结果　 (1)总体BMI均值 (2 5 6 2± 3 11)kg m2 ,随年龄增加而逐渐增高 ,WHR为 0 92± 0 0 6 ;(2 )老年人糖代谢障碍组BMI和WHR分别为 2 7 11和 0 94,与糖耐量正常组 (NGT)比较 ,差异有极显著性意义 (P<0 0 0 1) ;(3)当BMI≥2 5和WHR >0 93时 ,糖尿病、糖耐量减退患病率为 32 4%和 37 6 %。结论　上海地区海军离退休老年人超重者占5 6 % ,BMI和WHR均随年龄增加而升高 ,超重和肥胖是糖尿病、糖耐量减退发病重要因素之一 ,老年人适宜BMI为2 2～ 2 4和WHR 0 89     

The impact of increased body mass index on the clinical course of Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in adipose tissue is well documented. Crohn's disease (CD) patients with increased adipose tissue may have more severe disease. This study evaluated overweight patients with CD to determine if their clinical course differs from those with a normal or low body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Patients at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2002 were included. Data were collected from outpatient records and standardized interviews. Overweight was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher. The primary outcome was time to first surgery. Secondary outcomes included age at diagnosis, number of surgeries, and escalation of therapy. Patients with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher at diagnosis were compared with patients with a BMI of less than 25 kg/m2 using statistical analyses. Survival analysis compared time to first surgery. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included. Forty-eight (32.4%) had a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher at diagnosis. Patients with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher were older at diagnosis; 35 years vs 22.5 years for patients with a BMI of less than 25 kg/m2 (P = .0001). The number of surgeries, escalation of therapy, and disease distribution did not differ between the 2 groups. A significant difference was found for time to first surgery, 252 months vs 24 months for patients with a BMI of less than 18.5 kg/m2 vs patients with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher, respectively (P = .043). CONCLUSIONS: CD patients with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher at diagnosis were older at diagnosis and had a shorter time to first surgery than those with a BMI of less than 18.5 kg/m2. This suggests that overweight CD patients require earlier surgical intervention and perhaps more aggressive medical therapy.     

体重指数与慢性阻塞性肺疾病及生活质量的关系

目的在2002至2004年中国7个地区（北京、上海、广东、辽宁、天津、重庆和陕西）慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）现况调查的基础上，探讨体重指数（BMI）与COPD的关系。方法现况调查采用多阶段分层整群随机抽样方法，对40岁及以上的居民进行问卷调查、身高和体重的测量及肺功能检测。调查有效人数为20245名，男8705名，女11540名，以支气管扩张试验后第一秒用力呼气容积／用力肺活量（FEV1／FVC）〈70％作为COPD的诊断标准，并排除其他已知的气流受限的疾病，共筛查出1668例COPD和18577例非COPD进行BMI与COPD的关系分析。结果COPD患者的BMI[（22．7±3．5）kg／m^2]较非COPD患者[（24．1±3．4）kg／m^2]低，吸烟者BMI为[（23．6±3．4）kg／m^2]较不吸烟者[（24．2±3．5）ks／m^2]低，差异均有统计学意义（F分别为158．31、49．10，P均〈0．01），且COPD与吸烟存在对BMI的交互作用（F=6．03，P〈0．05）。COPD病情程度分级越高BMI越低（F=45．46，P〈0．01），COPD病情程度分级与BMl分级存在负相关（r=-0．08，P〈0．01）。BMI越低COPD的患病率越高（趋势x^2=102．68，P〈0．01），多因素logistic回归分析显示，与正常BMI（18．5～23．9kg／m^2）比较，1级BMI（〈18．5kg／m^2）、3级BMI（24．0～27．9kg／m^2）和4级BMI（≥28．0ks／m^2）患COPD的D尺值分别为[2．12（1．73～2．59）、0．67（0．59～0．76）、0．60（0．49～0．73），P均〈0．05]；且BMl分级与吸烟存在对COPD的交互作用（x^2=4．73，P〈O．05）。与2级BMI的COPD患者比较，1级BMI的COPD患者生活质量差（心理指数评分：55±8、57±6，F=2．96，P〈0．05；躯体指数评分：42±10、46±9，F=4．21，P〈0．01）；气促分数高（1．4±1．5、1．1±1．3，x^2=14．32，P〈0．01）。结论1级BMI与COPD关系密切，其可能是COPD患病的独立于吸烟的危险因素，而低BMI也可能是COPD病情严重程度的一个重要指标。     

Relationship between body mass index and high cystatin levels among US adults

High cystatin C levels among patients without clinically recognized chronic kidney disease (CKD) may identify patients who are at preclinical stages of CKD. Higher body mass index (BMI) has been found to be associated with increased risk of CKD. However, the association between BMI and high cystatin C levels is not clear. The authors examined participants older than 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2002 (N=2583, 50.2% women). BMI was categorized as <25 kg/m(2), 25-29.9 kg/m(2), and ≥30 kg/m(2) . Main outcome was high cystatin C (>1 mg/dL) among patients without clinically recognized CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or microalbuminuria). Higher BMI was positively associated with high cystatin C, independent of age, sex, race-ethnicity, education, smoking, alcohol intake, cholesterol, and C-reactive protein levels. Compared with patients with BMI <25 kg/m(2) (referent), the multivariable odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of high cystatin C was 2.53 (1.79-3.58) (P trend <.0001 among patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m(2)). The association between BMI and high cystatin C persisted in subgroup analyses by sex, race-ethnicity, and among those without diabetes or hypertension. Among US adults without clinically recognized CKD, higher BMI levels were independently associated with high cystatin C levels.     

Higher BMI is associated with worse asthma control and quality of life but not asthma severity

Asthma and obesity tend to co-occur, but relatively few studies have linked obesity, measured using body mass index (BMI), to clinically relevant measures of asthma morbidity. This study assessed BMI in a Canadian sample of asthma outpatients, and evaluated associations between BMI and levels of asthma severity, asthma control, and asthma-related quality of life. A total of 382 adult asthma patients underwent demographic and medical history interviews on the day of their clinic visit. Patients' self-reported height and weight were used to calculate BMI (kg/m(2)). Asthma severity was classified according the GINA (2002) guidelines. Patients completed the Asthma Control (ACQ) and Asthma Quality of Life (AQLQ) Questionnaires and underwent standard pulmonary testing (spirometry). A total of 139 (36%) patients had a normal BMI; 149 (39%) patients were overweight; and 94 (25%) patients were obese. There was no relationship between BMI and asthma severity when controlling for age and sex. Patients with higher BMI scores had higher ACQ and lower AQLQ scores, independent of age, sex and asthma severity. Results identify higher BMI and obesity as potential behavioral factors related to worse asthma control and quality of life, but not asthma severity, and suggest important avenues for asthma management and control initiatives.     

Relation between body weight and health-related quality of life among the elderly in Spain

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relation between body weight and the physical and mental components of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in the population aged 60 y and over in Spain. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Cross-sectional study covering 3605 subjects, representative of the noninstitutionalised Spanish population aged 60 y and over. Information was collected through home-based personal interview and measurement of blood pressure and anthropometric variables. Logistic regression was used to examine the relation of suboptimal HRQL (score<100) on each SF-36 questionnaire scale with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Separate regression models were constructed for each sex and adjusted for sociodemographic variables, tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical activity, arterial hypertension and diagnosed chronic disease. RESULTS: Mean age of the study population was 70.9 y for men and 72.2 y for women. The percentage of overweight subjects was 48.5% in men and 39.8% in women, and of obese subjects, 31.9 and 41.1% respectively. Men registered a better HRQL than women on most of the SF-36 scales. Compared to normal-weight subjects (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), frequency of suboptimal physical functioning was higher among obese subjects (BMI>or=30 kg/m(2)), both male (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.22-3.00) and female (OR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.59-4.19). The aspects of physical functioning most affected were bending, kneeling or stooping, climbing stairs and strenuous effort. Male, though not female, obesity was nonetheless associated with a better HRQL on the SF-36 mental scales. Frequencies of suboptimal scores for overweight persons (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m(2)) were similar to those for normal-weight subjects on most of the SF-36 scales. Results proved similar for subjects in both the 60-74 and 75-and-over age groups, and also when waist circumference was used as the measure of obesity (>102 cm in men and >88 cm in women). CONCLUSIONS: Obese men and women showed worse physical functioning than normal-weight persons. This occurred irrespective of whether subjects were over or under 74 y of age, or whether obesity was measured by BMI or waist circumference, and was not explained by unhealthy lifestyles or obesity-related chronic disease.     

Impact of body mass index on the five-year outcome of patients having percutaneous coronary interventions with drug-eluting stents

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on clinical outcome of patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents. Patients were stratified according to BMI as normal (<25 kg/m(2)), overweight (25 to 30 kg/m(2)), or obese (>30 kg/m(2)). At 5-year follow-up all-cause death, myocardial infarction, clinically justified target vessel revascularization (TVR), and definite stent thrombosis were assessed. A complete dataset was available in 7,427 patients, of which 45%, 22%, and 33% were classified according to BMI as overweight, obese, and normal, respectively. Mean age of patients was significantly older in those with a normal BMI (p <0.05). Incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia increased as BMI increased (p <0.05). Significantly higher rates of TVR (15.3% vs 12.8%, p = 0.02) and early stent thrombosis (1.5% vs 0.9%, p = 0.04) were observed in the obese compared to the normal BMI group. No significant difference among the 3 BMI groups was observed for the composite of death/myocardial infarction/TVR or for definite stent thrombosis at 5 years, whereas the normal BMI group was at higher risk for all-cause death at 5 years (obese vs normal BMI, hazard ratio 0.74, confidence interval 0.53 to 0.99, p = 0.05; overweight vs normal BMI, hazard ratio 0.73, confidence interval 0.59 to 0.94, p = 0.01) in the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Age resulted in a linearly dependent covariate with BMI in the all-cause 5-year mortality multivariate model (p = 0.001). In conclusion, the "obesity paradox" observed in 5-year all-cause mortality could be explained by the higher rate of elderly patients in the normal BMI group and the existence of colinearity between BMI and age. However, obese patients had a higher rate of TVR and early stent thrombosis and a higher rate of other risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia.     

Relation between obesity in young adulthood and risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the independent effect of obesity in young adulthood on the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort design. SUBJECTS: One-thousand, one hundred and five Japanese male railway employees aged 30 y or older who received a health examination from February to May 1995. MEASUREMENTS: Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for subsequent NIDDM determined by the WHO criteria or a physician's diagnosis, among men who were obese at ages 20, 25, or 30 y. RESULTS: Men who were obese (BMI > or = 25.0 kg/m2) at ages 25 or 30 y had significantly positive ORs for NIDDM after adjustment for age and maximum BMI (8.20 and 3.94, respectively). Men in the top quintile of BMI at any age also had significantly positive ORs for NIDDM (2.13, 7.92, and 3.49, at 20, 25, and 30 y, respectively). After mutual adjustment for BMI at age 20, 25 and 30 y, only obesity at age 25 y demonstrated a significantly positive OR for NIDDM in both absolute and relative models (6.98 for BMI > or = 25.0 and 9.99 for the top quintile, respectively). CONCLUSION: Men who were obese (BMI > or = 25.0 kg/m2 or top quintile) at age 25 y were at significantly high risk of prevalent NIDDM in subsequent years, independent of age, maximum BMI, and BMIs at age 20 and 30 y.     

Excess weight at time of presentation of myocardial infarction is associated with lower initial mortality risks but higher long-term risks including recurrent re-infarction and cardiac death

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of elevated body mass index (BMI) on short- and long-term survival following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest an obesity survival paradox in individuals undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with better 30-day and 1-year outcomes in obese relative to normal weight patients. We tested a similar obesity paradox hypothesis following acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Short- and long-term all-cause mortality, and risk of recurrent AMI were evaluated according to BMI status in 894 consecutive survivors of AMI <80 years of age admitted to the Mayo Clinic Coronary Care Unit between January 1, 1988 and April 16, 2001. Normal weight, overweight and obesity were defined as BMI <25, 25-29.9, and >30 kg/m(2), respectively. RESULTS: Overall mortality following hospital discharge was significantly lower in overweight and obese patients and was mostly attributable to lower 6-month mortality (adjusted HR = 0.47, P = 0.01 for BMI >25 kg/m(2)) relative to normal weight patients, while long-term mortality among 6-month survivors was similar in all 3 groups. The risk of recurrent AMI was higher in patients with BMI >25 kg/m(2) (adjusted HR = 2.30, P = 0.01). Overweight and obese patients were significantly more likely to die from cardiac rather than non-cardiac causes (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Following AMI, overweight and obese individuals although paradoxically protected from short-term death have a long-term mortality risk that is similar to normal weight individuals. Younger age at the time of initial infarction and fewer non-cardiovascular comorbidities presumably explain the short-lived obesity survival paradox following myocardial infarction.     

B-type natriuretic peptide levels in obese patients with advanced heart failure.

Although recent studies show that obesity, or elevated body mass index (BMI), is associated with lower levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), it is unknown whether BMI affects the prognostic value of BNP in heart failure (HF). This study confirms the relationship between high BMI and low BNP in patients with advanced systolic HF. Despite relatively lower levels of BNP in overweight and obesity, BNP predicts worse symptoms, impaired hemodynamics, and higher mortality in HF at all levels of BMI.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the influence of obesity on the predictive value of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assay in heart failure (HF). BACKGROUND: Recent studies show that obesity, or elevated body mass index (BMI), is associated with lower circulating levels of BNP both in the general population and in patients with HF. METHODS: We analyzed data from 316 systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] < or =40%) patients [age, 53 +/- 13 years; mean LVEF, 24 +/- 7%; 48% ischemic] followed up at a university HF center. Patients were divided into categories of BMI: lean (BMI <25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI = 25 to 29.9 kg/m2), and obese (BMI > or =30 kg/m2). RESULTS: The BNP levels were significantly lower in overweight and obese compared with lean patients (p = 0.0001); median BNP (interquartile range) for the lean (n = 131), overweight (n = 99), and obese (n = 86) groups was 747 (272 to 1,300), 380 (143 to 856), and 332 (118 to 617) pg/ml, respectively. In each BMI category, elevated BNP was significantly associated with worse symptoms and higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Higher BNP was also a significant independent predictor of survival independent of BMI. Optimal BNP cutoff for prediction of death or urgent transplant in lean, overweight, and obese HF patients was 590, 471, and 342 pg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although BNP levels are relatively lower in overweight and obese HF patients, BNP predicts worse symptoms, impaired hemodynamics, and higher mortality at all levels of BMI.     

Exercise-Induced Asthma is Associated with Impaired Quality of Life Among Children with Asthma in Japan

BackgroundAsthma is the most common chronic diseases in school-aged children in Japan. It is important to consider health-related quality of life (QoL) among children with chronic diseases when treatment decisions are made.MethodsA school-based survey was conducted in randomly selected public schools in Tokyo by using a KINDL® questionnaire for evaluating QoL and the international study of asthma and allergy on childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, which is designed for comparing the asthma prevalence in various countries, from May to June in 2005. We recruited approximately 10% of the total children 6–7-years-old and 13–14-years-old living in Tokyo for sampling.ResultsResponse rate of this questionnaire was 86% (22,645 children) in the 6–7-year-old group and 64% (12,879 children) in the 13–14-year-old group. Comparing asthmatics with non-asthmatics in the same age, QoL of children with asthma was significantly impaired. The severity of QoL of children with asthma was significantly impaired. QoL of children with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) were more significantly impaired than ones without EIA and showed lower scores in the categories of physical functioning, emotional and school activities than those without EIA. Of note, QoL was more impaired in the EIA-positive group among severe asthmatics, suggesting that QoL of children with even severe asthma could be improved when EIA is appropriately controlled.ConclusionsExistence of EIA among asthmatic children most strongly impairs their QoL. We should be more cautious about the management of EIA.     

Prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among older adults: findings from the Canadian National Population Health Survey

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity among elderly persons in industrialized countries ranges from 15% to 20%. Little is known about variations of overweight within subgroups of the elderly population. This study examined the factors associated with overweight and obesity among older men and women. METHODS: Data for 12,823 community-dwelling persons aged 65 and older from the 1996-1997 Canadian National Population Health Survey were examined. Predictors of overweight (body mass index [BMI] = 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI = >30 kg/m2) relative to normal weight (BMI = 20.0-24.9 kg/m2) were examined using logistic regression analyses. Analyses were stratified by gender. The predictor variables included age, education, marital status, place of birth, region, smoking status, alcohol use, chronic conditions, physical activity, functional limitations, self-rated health, social support, and psychological distress. RESULTS: Overall, 39% and 13% of Canadian older adults were classified as overweight and obese, respectively. Some of the risk factors for overweight were male gender, low education, being married, Canadian born, residence in the Atlantic provinces, no use of alcohol, comorbidity, physical inactivity, and limited functional status. Risk factors for obesity were similar to those for overweight except for being unmarried; American, European, and Australian born; lower and higher levels of alcohol use; poor self-rated health; and psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: The results could lead to more effective weight-control interventions that are designed to promote increased physical activity and healthy eating habits among obese older individuals.     

Substantial weight gain during adulthood: the road to bariatric surgery

We sought to examine the relationship of body mass index (BMI) at age 18 years with the degree and rate of rise in body weight during adulthood among the morbidly obese. We evaluated 196 patients with a standard medical history form and a structured interview with questions regarding weight at age 18 years. The study included 40 (20.4%) men and 156 (79.6%) women. The mean BMI was 50.2+/-8.0 kg/m2, range 37.0-80.0 kg/m2. Based on self-reported weight, 133 (67.9%) were overweight/obese (BMI >25 kg/m2) and 68 (34.7%) were obese (BMI > or =30 kg/m2) at age 18 years. The distribution of cumulative weight gain was normal with a mean of 60.8+/-23.7 kg. There was a positive relationship (r=0.36, p<0.0001) between BMI at age 18 years and BMI in adulthood at a mean of 44+/-10.6 years. Independent predictors for cumulative adult weight gain were BMI at age 18 years (p<0.0001); women (p<0.0001); African Americans (p=0.05). These data suggest that modestly overweight young adults can have excessive weight gains during adult life, resulting in morbid obesity and high rates of obesity-related comorbidities.     

Is obesity an aggravating factor in chronic venous disease? Results of a French epidemiological study in male patients.

AIM: In a recent epidemiological study on chronic venous disease (CVD) in French male patients, a correlation was found between obesity and disease severity. The objective of this study was to further analyze the relationship between age and/or obesity, and CVD severity as assessed by the CEAP C-class. METHODS: Each physician taking part in this cross-sectional study included the first 3 adult male patients consulting for the first time and presenting at least one sign and one symptom of CVD. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical data were collected, and findings for obese (body mass index BMI: >30 kg/m(2)), overweight (25 60 years experienced trophic disorders, i.e., CEAP classes C4, C5, and C6). CONCLUSIONS: This study does not show any relationship between the CEAP C-class and obesity in male patients. Obesity was thus probably not an aggravating factor in CVD but a simple reflection of ageing.     

Obesity is an independent contributor to functional capacity and inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: Obesity induces a proinflammatory state and is a major cause of morbidity in the general population. However, little is known about the effects of obesity in patients with chronic inflammatory illnesses such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with SLE were studied to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and functional capacity, measures of fatigue, quality of life, and the inflammation markers C-reactive protein (CRP), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The association between BMI and patient characteristics was determined, and multiple logistic regression models were used to adjust for age, sex, disease activity, and disease-related damage. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients had a normal BMI (< 25 kg/m(2)), 28 were overweight (25-29.9 kg/m(2)), and 39 were obese (> or =30 kg/m(2)). Obese patients had worse functional capacity, more fatigue, and higher concentrations of inflammation markers. The mean +/- SD modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (M-HAQ) score was 0.6 +/- 0.4 in obese patients compared with 0.3 +/- 0.4 and 0.2 +/- 0.3 in overweight patients and those with a normal BMI, respectively (P = 0.001). The mean +/- SD concentrations of CRP in obese patients (10.0 +/- 8.6 mg/liter) were higher than those in patients who were overweight (4.7 +/- 5.4 mg/liter) or had a normal BMI (6.2 +/- 9.9 mg/liter) (P < 0.001). Similarly, concentrations of IL-6 were higher in obese patients (P = 0.003). After adjusting for age, sex, disease activity, and damage indices, the associations between BMI and CRP (P < 0.001), M-HAQ scores (P = 0.005), and IL-6 concentrations (P = 0.01) remained significant. CONCLUSION: Obesity is independently associated with impaired functional capacity and inflammation markers in patients with lupus. Thus, weight loss may improve functional capacity and decrease cardiovascular risk factors.