Association of respiratory symptoms with body mass index and occupational exposure comparing sexes and subjects with and without asthma: follow-up of a Norwegian population study (the Telemark study)

Abstract

BackgroundOccupational exposure and increased body mass index (BMI) are associated with respiratory symptoms. This study investigated whether the association of a respiratory burden score with changes in BMI as well as changes in occupational exposure to vapours, gas, dust and fumes (VGDF) varied in subjects with and without asthma and in both sexes over a 5-year period.MethodsIn a 5-year follow-up of a population-based study, 6350 subjects completed a postal questionnaire in 2013 and 2018. A respiratory burden score based on self-reported respiratory symptoms, BMI and frequency of occupational exposure to VGDF were calculated at both times. The association between change in respiratory burden score and change in BMI or VGDF exposure was assessed using stratified regression models.ResultsChanges in respiratory burden score and BMI were associated with a β-coefficient of 0.05 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.07). This association did not vary significantly by sex, with 0.05 (0.03 to 0.07) for women and 0.06 (0.04 to 0.09) for men. The association was stronger among those with asthma (0.12; 0.06 to 0.18) compared with those without asthma (0.05; 0.03 to 0.06) (p=0.011). The association of change in respiratory burden score with change in VGDF exposure gave a β-coefficient of 0.15 (0.05 to 0.19). This association was somewhat greater for men versus women, with coefficients of 0.18 (0.12 to 0.24) and 0.13 (0.07 to 0.19), respectively (p=0.064). The estimate was similar among subjects with asthma (0.18; –0.02 to 0.38) and those without asthma (0.15; 0.11 to 0.19).ConclusionsIncreased BMI and exposure to VGDF were associated with increased respiratory burden scores. The change due to increased BMI was not affected by sex, but subjects with asthma had a significantly larger change than those without. Increased frequency of VGDF exposure was associated with increased respiratory burden score but without statistically significant differences with respect to sex or asthma status.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic respiratory symptoms in public and private school teachers in north-western Ethiopia: results from a multicentre cross-sectional study

“…This study also indicated that teachers with an overweight BMI (>18.5 kg/m 2 ) were 2.57 times more likely to develop chronic respiratory symptoms than teachers with a normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ). Other plausible investigations correspondingly confirm that an increase in weight (overweight) is associated with respiratory health problems 65–67. The potential explanation for our finding is that being overweight affects the respiratory system by several mechanisms: direct mechanical changes due to fat deposition on the chest wall, blood vessels, abdomen and upper airway as well as systemic inflammation 68 69.…”

“…Other plausible investigations correspondingly confirm that an increase in weight (overweight) is associated with respiratory health problems. 65–67 The potential explanation for our finding is that being overweight affects the respiratory system by several mechanisms: direct mechanical changes due to fat deposition on the chest wall, blood vessels, abdomen and upper airway as well as systemic inflammation. 68 69 Being overweight causes fat accumulation in the body, which changes respiratory physiology and results in the impairment of various lung function parameters.…”

Transmission factors and exposure to infections at work and invasive pneumococcal disease

“…Our results showing that men working outside have clear risk for IPD may indicate that if the airways are exposed to harsh conditions, the sensitivity for different contact dimensions increases. The underlying assumption is that men are more exposed to fumes, dust, and irritants, which has been observed in both industrial cohorts and in general‐population‐based studies 27−28 . Another possible reason why men have an increased risk is that there are physiological differences between the genders, which affect both hormonal activities and the and immune system 29 …”

“…The underlying assumption is that men are more exposed to fumes, dust, and irritants, which has been observed in both industrial cohorts and in general‐population‐based studies. 27 , 28 Another possible reason why men have an increased risk is that there are physiological differences between the genders, which affect both hormonal activities and the and immune system. 29 …”