Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown the association of anthropometric measures with poor asthma symptoms, especially among women. However, the potential influence of visceral adiposity on asthma symptoms has not been investigated. In this study, we have evaluated whether visceral adiposity is related to poor asthma symptoms independent of anthropometric measures and sex. If this relationship presented, we investigated whether it is explained by influence on pulmonary functions and/or obesity-related comorbidities.
Methods: We analyzed data form 206 asthmatic subjects who participated in a Japanese cohort study. In addition to BMI and waist circumference, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat were assessed by CT scan. Quality of life was assessed using the Japanese version of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire.
Results: All obesity indices had inverse association with poor asthma control in females. However, only the visceral fat area showed a statistical inverse association with outcome in males. Only abdominal visceral fat was associated with higher GERD and depression scores and FEV1 % predicted, independent of other obesity indices.
Conclusions: Regardless of sex, abdominal visceral fat was associated poor asthma symptoms independent of other obesity indices, and this may be explained by the impact of abdominal visceral fat on reduced FEV1 % predicted and higher risk for GERD and depression. Therefore, visceral adiposity may have a superior clinical influence on asthma symptoms than any obesity indices.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2018 52: Suppl. 62, PA3697.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2018