Association Between Kimchi Intake and Asthma in Korean Adults: The Fourth and Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2011)

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the relationship between dietary factors and asthma in a representative population-based sample of 19,659 men and women, aged 19-64 years, using data from the fourth and fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2007-2011. The presence of asthma was based on self-reported physician diagnosis of asthma in the Health Interview Surveys. Food intake was estimated by trained interviewers using a 24-h recall method. The prevalence of asthma in Korean adults was 2.4%. Adults with asthma consumed fewer amounts of kimchi (P=.0444) and fish (P=.0175) but had a higher cereal intake than those without asthma (P=.0056). Multiple logistic regression analysis after controlling for confounding factors showed a significant inverse relationship between kimchi consumption and the prevalence of asthma [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for subjects consuming 1 to <2 servings (40-79.9 g), 2 to <3 servings (80-119.9 g), and ≥3 servings (≥120 g), relative to those consuming <1 serving (<40 g): 0.726 (0.534-0.987), 0.506 (0.348-0.736), and 0.678 (0.502-0.916), respectively; P for trend=0.0131]. These results warrant future studies to explore the mechanisms responsible for the association between kimchi consumption and asthma.

Regular follow-up visits reduce the risk for asthma exacerbation requiring admission in Korean adults with asthma

“…The national medical insurance review system covers nearly all Korean individuals, and therefore, the 729,343 subjects enrolled in this study might encompass all the asthma patients in Korea. This is also supported by a calculation based on an asthma prevalence of about 2% and the total population size (about 40 million) in South Korea [ 25 ]. Therefore, this indicates the trustworthiness of the data.…”

Asthma and its related socioeconomic factors: The Shiraz Adult Respiratory Disease Study 2015

“…Song et al reviewed the epidemiology of adult asthma in Asia (2014) and demonstrated increasing trend in the burden of adult asthma in Asia. The prevalence of adult asthma in our setting was higher than China, Singapore, Korea, India, and Japan . In addition to heterogeneity in definition of asthma, this higher prevalence could be related to some difference in environmental and lifestyle factors.…”

Preacutionary labelling of cross-reactive foods: The case of rapeseed

“…Second, evidence is emerging that Brassicaceae may exert an asthma-preventing action. For instance, the consumption of kimchi – a traditional fermented Korean side dish made from napa cabbage and radish – is inversely associated with the incidence of asthma [18]. Broccoli have been shown to activate NK cells during asthma-inducing respiratory infections [19].…”