Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Incremental value of body composition indices in discriminating poorly controlled asthma in children: a

Zhiyuan Wang1, Junlin Zhao1, Yanan Wang1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.

Translational Pediatrics
|May 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) body composition indices like extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) and phase angle (PhA) significantly improve the identification of poorly controlled asthma in children. These markers offer better discrimination than traditional clinical assessments alone.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Clinical Assessment Tools

Background:

  • Asthma is a common childhood respiratory disease with a significant portion of patients experiencing poor control despite current treatments.
  • Traditional assessment methods using clinical indicators and lung function tests have limited ability to distinguish asthma severity.
  • Novel biomarkers are needed to enhance the accurate assessment of asthma control in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate if bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived body composition indices improve the discrimination of poorly controlled asthma in children.
  • To assess the added value of extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW), phase angle (PhA), and visceral fat area (VFA) beyond traditional clinical assessments.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study included 103 children (aged 6-14 years) with asthma, divided into poorly controlled (n=41) and well-controlled (n=62) groups.
  • Two logistic regression models were compared: a base model with clinical/lung function parameters and an enhanced model including BIA indices (ECW/TBW, PhA, VFA).
  • Model performance was assessed using Area Under the Curve (AUC), Net Reclassification Index (NRI), and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI).

Main Results:

  • Children with poorly controlled asthma showed significantly higher ECW/TBW and lower PhA compared to well-controlled asthmatics.
  • In multivariable analysis, ECW/TBW was associated with increased risk (OR=9.83), and PhA with decreased risk (OR=0.17) of poorly controlled asthma.
  • The enhanced model (AUC=0.893) significantly outperformed the base model (AUC=0.618), with improved sensitivity (70.7% vs. 39.0%) and specificity (90.3% vs. 77.4%).

Conclusions:

  • BIA-derived body composition indices offer significant incremental value in discriminating poorly controlled asthma in children.
  • These indices may reflect underlying systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbances contributing to asthma severity.
  • Further multicenter studies with external validation are recommended to confirm these findings.
Abstract

Keywords:
Asthmabioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)body compositionchildcross-sectional study

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice09:58

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice

Published on: April 13, 2010

Related Concept Videos

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies01:27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma