Asthma and vitamin D in Brazilian adolescents: Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association between asthma prevalence and serum levels of vitamin D in Brazilian adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, school-based study involving adolescents between 12-17 years of age from four large Brazilian cities located at different latitudes (Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and Porto Alegre). Information on asthma diagnosis, lifestyle, and sociodemographic characteristics was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. Serum concentrations of calcifediol were dichotomized as sufficient (= 20 ng/mL) or insufficient/deficient (< 20 ng/mL) levels. Bivariate analyses were carried out between vitamin D levels and prevalence of active asthma (AA), as well as other variables in study, using the chi-square test. Generalized linear models were configured to analyze potential confounding factors (p < 0.20). Results: Between 2013 and 2014, 1,053 adolescents were evaluated. The prevalences of AA and insufficient/deficient levels of calcifediol were 15.4% and 21%, respectively. There were no statistically significant associations between AA and hypovitaminosis D. The prevalences of AA and vitamin D insufficiency were, respectively, 2.34 (95% CI, 1,28-4.30) and 3.22 (95% CI, 1.75-5.95) times higher in Porto Alegre than in Rio de Janeiro, regardless of possible confounding factors. However, no significant associations were found between the prevalence of AA and vitamin-D-related variables in any of the cities. Conclusions: No association was found between AA and low levels of vitamin D in adolescents living at different latitudes in Brazil.

Asthma in adolescents: what did ERICA study show us?

“…10 Similarly, we found stronger associations between metabolic alterations, such as increased BMI and severe asthma. 9 On the other hand, we found no significant associations between active or severe asthma and hypovitaminosis D. 12 PeNSE assessed aspects other than prevalence related to asthma in Brazilian adolescents. One study looked at socioeconomic, environmental, psychosocial, family-related and lifestyle factors associated with asthma in Brazilian adolescents.…”

“…11 On the other hand, it was not associated with serum vitamin D levels. 12 In relation to metabolic parameters, it was observed that MS and some of its components, such as WC, were significantly associated with severe asthma in Brazilian adolescents. 9 ISAAC was one of the key global studies designed to investigate the epidemiology of asthma in children and adolescents.…”

“…This study aimed to analyze the association between asthma and serum vitamin D levels in Brazilian adolescents. 12 Serum concentrations of 25hydroxyvitamin D were dichotomized into: sufficient levels (≥ 20 ng/mL) or insufficient/deficient levels (< 20 ng/mL). A total of 1,053 adolescents from 4 Brazilian state capitals (Fortaleza, Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, and Porto Alegre) were assessed.…”

“…However, there were no significant associations between the prevalence of active asthma and variables related to vitamin D in any of the cities studied. 12…”

“…6,7 Several studies have been based on ERICA data, studying the prevalence of asthma and possible associated factors in Brazilian adolescents. [8][9][10][11][12] The aim of this article was to analyze published studies on asthma based on ERICA results.…”