Dyslipidemia Associates with Respiratory Resistance Assessed by Forced Oscillation Technique in Asthmatic Children

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated the correlation between dyslipidemia and pulmonary function parameters assessed by spirometry and force oscillation technique in asthmatic children.Methods: Asthmatic children (aged 5–18 years old) were measured for fasting serum lipid profiles, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Pulmonary function tests were assessed by spirometry and forced oscillation technique (FOT). Results: One hundred forty-one asthmatic children were enrolled with the mean (sd) age of 11.82 (3.38) years. Eighty-eight children (62.4%) were males, 64 children (45.4%) had dyslipidemia, and 20 (14.2 %) children were obese. Of 64 children with dyslipidemia, high LDL-C was the most common dyslipidemia (65.6%), followed by TC (57.8%), non-HDL-C (53.1%), TG (35.9%), and low HDL-C (15.6%). There were no significant differences in spirometry parameters and FOT parameters between asthmatic children who had dyslipidemia and normal lipid levels. Asthmatic children who had high LDL-C had significantly higher expiratory phase respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R5), whole breath R20 and expiratory phase R20 evaluated by FOT than those with normal LDL-C (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in weight, height, obesity status, and CRP level between children with high and normal LDL-C. Conclusion: The prevalence of dyslipidemia in children with asthma is high. LDL-C is associated with more elevated respiratory resistance assessed by FOT in asthmatic children. Intervention lowering LDL-C may have a benefit on lung function in asthmatic children.