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Published on: August 7, 2017
Atopy, but not obesity is associated with asthma severity among children with persistent asthma
Kim D Lu1, Wanda Phipatanakul2, Matthew S Perzanowski3
1a Department of Pediatrics , Division of Pediatric Pulmonary, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine , Irvine , CA , USA.
Insights
In children with persistent asthma, obesity did not worsen asthma control or severity. However, atopy, or allergic sensitization, was linked to more severe asthma symptoms and poorer lung function.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity and atopic sensitization are known risk factors for childhood asthma.
- The comparative impact of obesity versus atopy on asthma control and severity in children remains unclear.
- This study focuses on a population of predominantly low-income, minority children and adolescents with persistent asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between weight status (obesity) and atopy with asthma control and severity.
- To compare the relative influence of obesity and atopy on asthma outcomes in a specific pediatric population.
- To inform clinical management strategies for persistent asthma in vulnerable child populations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 832 children and adolescents (5-17 years) with persistent asthma.
- Data collected from December 2010 to August 2014 at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Children's Hospital of Boston.
- Assessments included clinical evaluations, asthma questionnaires, lung function tests, skin prick testing, and adiposity measures.
Main Results:
- Obesity was not associated with worse asthma control or severity in this cohort.
- A higher degree of atopy correlated with reduced lung function.
- Greater atopy was also linked to higher asthma severity scores and increased medication requirements.
Conclusions:
- Atopy appears to be a more significant risk factor for asthma severity than obesity in low-income, minority children with persistent asthma.
- Findings suggest that managing atopic sensitization may be crucial for improving asthma outcomes in this population.
- Further research is warranted to explore the complex interplay between obesity, atopy, and asthma in diverse pediatric groups.
Background And Objective:
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of asthma in children. Atopic sensitization is a major risk factor for asthma including severe asthma in children. It is unclear if obesity is associated with worse asthma control or severity in children and how its effects compare to atopy. We sought to examine relationships of weight status and atopy to asthma control and severity among a population of predominantly low income, minority children and adolescents with persistent asthma.
Methods:
A cross-sectional analysis of 832 children and adolescents, age range 5-17 years, with persistent asthma was performed. Clinical assessments included asthma questionnaires of symptoms, asthma severity score, health care utilization and medication treatment step, lung function testing, and skin prick testing as well as measures of adiposity. Data were collected between December 2010 and August 2014 from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and Children's Hospital of Boston, MA.
Results:
Obesity was not associated with worse asthma control or severity in this group of predominantly low income, minority children and adolescents with persistent asthma. However, a greater degree of atopy was associated with lower lung function, higher asthma severity score, and higher medication treatment step.
Conclusion:
Atopy may be a more important risk factor for asthma severity than obesity among low-income minority children and adolescents with persistent asthma living in Northeastern cities in the United States.
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