RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reduced body mass index is associated with the presence of airflow obstruction in a rural Indian setting
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p1009
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Chakrabarti, Biswajit
A1 Purkait, Sabita
A1 Goon, Punybrata
A1 Moore, Vicky
A1 Warburton, Christopher
A1 Calverley, Peter
A1 Zaman, Justin
A1 Mukherjee, Rahul
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1009.abstract
AB Background: Respiratory conditions remain a significant source of morbidity globally. We wished to understand factors associated with the development of airflow obstruction (AFO) within a rural Indian setting. We hypothesised that being significantly underweight (BMI less than 18.5) could be linked to the development of AFO (FEV1/FVC less than 0.7).Methodology: Patients greater than 35 years old attending a primary care outpatient clinic at Chengail, West Bengal, India underwent: 1. A structured questionnaire 2. Measurement of BMI 3.Spirometry (analysed by a Respiratory Clinical Physiologist).Results: 416 patients (mean age 51 years; 47% male; 62% never smokers) completed the study; spirometry deemed valid for analysis in 286 (69%). 47 (16%) of all subjects were noted to exhibit AFO; GOLD stage 1 (15%); GOLD stage 2 (49%); GOLD stage 3 (26%);GOLD stage 4 (10%). Never smokers comprised 43% (20/47) of all AFO cases. On logistic regression, factors associated with AFO were: Increasing age (95% CI 0.004-0.011; p=0.005), smoking status (95% CI 0.07-0.174; p=0.006), male gender (95% CI 0.19-0.47; p=0.012), reduced BMI (95% CI 0.19-0.65; p=0.02) and occupation (95% CI 0.12-0.84; p=0.08). Mean BMI was significantly lower in the 47 patients with AFO (20.11 v 21.62; p=0.02). AFO was observed in 27% (18/66) of subjects with a BMI less than 18.5 falling to 13% (29/220) of subjects with BMI greater than 18.5 (p=0.013). In those underweight ever smokers, airflow obstruction was identified in 25% (13/52) rising to 32% (14/44) in ever smokers with a BMI greater than 18.5.Conclusion: Our study suggests that being underweight is associated with the presence of AFO in a rural Indian setting.