RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Obesity and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux are related to onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 116
OP 121
DO 10.1183/09031936.04.00042603
VO 24
IS 1
A1 M.I. Gunnbjörnsdóttir
A1 E. Omenaas
A1 T. Gíslason
A1 E. Norrman
A1 A‐C. Olin
A1 R. Jõgi
A1 E.J. Jensen
A1 E. Lindberg
A1 E. Björnsson
A1 K. Franklin
A1 C. Janson
A1 on behalf of the RHINE study group
YR 2004
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/24/1/116.abstract
AB Several studies have identified obesity as a risk factor for asthma in both children and adults. An increased prevalence of asthma in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome has also been reported. The aim of this investigation was to study obesity, nocturnal GOR and snoring as independent risk factors for onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a Nordic population. In a 5–10 yr follow-up study of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Estonia, a postal questionnaire was sent to previous respondents. A total of 16,191 participants responded to the questionnaire. Reported onset of asthma, wheeze and night-time symptoms as well as nocturnal GOR and habitual snoring increased in prevalence along with the increase in body mass index (BMI). After adjusting for nocturnal GOR, habitual snoring and other confounders, obesity (BMI >30) remained significantly related to the onset of asthma, wheeze and night-time symptoms. Nocturnal GOR was independently related to the onset of asthma and in addition, both nocturnal GOR and habitual snoring were independently related to onset of wheeze and night-time symptoms. This study adds evidence to an independent relationship between obesity, nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux and habitual snoring and the onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms in adults. The study was supported financially by the Icelandic Research Council, the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, the Vårdal Foundation for Health Care Science and Allergy Research, the Swedish Association against Asthma and Allergy, the Norwegian Research Council, the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association, the Danish Lung Association and the Estonian Science Foundation.