Asthma-like symptoms are increased in the metabolic syndrome

Eun Joo Lee, Kwang Ho In, Eun Sil Ha, Kyung Ju Lee, Gyu Young Hur, Eun Hae Kang, Ki Hwan Jung, Sung Yong Lee, Je Hyeong Kim, Sang Yeub Lee, Chol Shin, Jae Jeong Shim, Kyung Ho Kang, Se Hwa Yoo

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    56 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background. The prevalence of obesity and asthma has been increasing during the last several decades. Obesity has been reported to be associated with asthma. Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is the main component of the metabolic syndrome. Objectives. We thus hypothesized that metabolic syndrome is an important contributing factor for the development of asthma-like symptoms. Methods. The Korean Health and Genome Study started in 2001 as an ongoing population-based study of Korean adults 40 to 69 years of age. The prevalence of asthma-like symptoms in the previous 12 months was obtained by a questionnaire, and spirometric testing was conducted. Results. Among the 10,038 participants, the data from 9,942 individuals (4,716 men and 5,226 women) was available. Asthma-like symptoms (wheeze [p = 0.0006], resting dyspnea [p = 0.0062], and post-exercise dyspnea [p 0.0001]) were increased in the subjects of the metabolic syndrome group. Subjects with asthma-like symptoms had a decreased lung function compared to subjects without asthma-like symptoms. Among the components of the metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity and hypertension were the risk factors for asthma-like symptoms. Conclusions. Metabolic syndrome is associated with asthma-like symptoms. Among the components of metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity and hypertension are the risk factors for asthma-like symptoms.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)339-342
    Number of pages4
    JournalJournal of Asthma
    Volume46
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009 May

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    Supported by the National Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Korea (budgets 2001-347-6111-221 and 2002-347-6111-221).

    Funding Information:
    C.S. received research funding from the National Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Korea.

    Keywords

    • Asthma-like symptoms
    • Epidemiology
    • Korea
    • Metabolic syndrome

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
    • Immunology and Allergy
    • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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