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Published on: August 7, 2017

Airway and systemic inflammation in obese children with asthma

Megan E Jensen1, Peter G Gibson, Clare E Collins

  • 1Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle.

The European Respiratory Journal
|January 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Obesity in childhood asthma did not significantly alter airway or systemic inflammation. However, obese girls with asthma showed a higher prevalence of non-eosinophilic asthma, requiring further study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Asthma Research
  • Obesity and Health

Background:

  • Obese asthma involves altered airway and systemic inflammation in adults.
  • Comprehensive data on pediatric obese asthma inflammation is lacking.
  • This study investigates inflammation differences in obese versus nonobese asthmatic children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare airway and systemic inflammation in obese and nonobese asthmatic children and controls.
  • To assess the impact of obesity on inflammatory biomarkers in pediatric asthma.
  • To explore differences in asthma phenotypes related to obesity in children.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study design.
  • Inclusion of four groups: obese asthma (OA), nonobese asthma (NOA), obese control (OC), and nonobese control (NOC).
  • Measurement of lung function, sputum, and systemic inflammatory biomarkers in children aged 8-17 years.

Main Results:

  • Obesity was linked to significant lung restriction in children, with or without asthma.
  • No significant differences in airway or systemic inflammation were found between obese and nonobese asthmatic children.
  • Higher prevalence of non-eosinophilic asthma observed in obese asthmatic females compared to males.
  • Leptin levels were higher in obese controls, while adiponectin was reduced in obese asthmatics.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity is associated with lung restriction in children, irrespective of asthma status.
  • Obesity does not appear to significantly alter airway or systemic inflammation in pediatric asthma.
  • The increased prevalence of non-eosinophilic asthma in obese females warrants further investigation.

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