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Asthma is associated with atherosclerotic artery changes.
Izabela Tuleta1, Dirk Skowasch1, Florian Aurich1
1Department of Internal Medicine II-Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Plos One
|October 27, 2017
Summary
Allergic asthma is linked to increased artery stiffness and plaque buildup. Asthma severity correlates with more severe atherosclerotic changes, indicating a systemic impact beyond the airways.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory condition with potential systemic effects.
- Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting arteries.
- The link between asthma and atherosclerosis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between asthma and increased atherosclerotic vascular disorders.
- To compare arterial status in mild-to-moderate and severe allergic asthma patients versus matched controls.
Main Methods:
- Artery stiffness assessed via central pulse wave velocity, ultrasonographic strain imaging, and ankle-brachial index.
- Atherosclerotic plaque burden evaluated using color-coded duplex sonography.
- Analysis of cardiovascular and asthma-related blood markers.
Main Results:
- Asthma patients exhibited significantly higher arterial stiffness (increased pulse wave velocity, decreased strains) and media sclerosis compared to controls.
- Atherosclerotic plaque burden was notably higher in severe asthma (43.1%) and mild-to-moderate asthma (25.0%) groups versus controls (14.3%).
- Elevated IgE, fibrinogen, and leukocyte counts were observed in asthma groups, but other blood parameters showed no significant differences.
Conclusions:
- Allergic asthma is associated with distinct atherosclerotic artery alterations compared to controls.
- The severity of asthma correlates with the degree of pathological vascular changes.
- These findings suggest a systemic inflammatory link between asthma and atherosclerosis.
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