Is serum cholesterol a risk factor for asthma?

Abstract

Background:Proinflammatory role of serum cholesterol in asthma has been recently explored with contradicting results. Clarity on the link between serum cholesterol and asthma may lead to new evolutions in planning management strategies. The objective of our study was to examine the relationship between the serum cholesterol, asthma and its characteristics.Materials and Methods:A total of 40 asthmatics and 40 normal subjects were examined cross-sectionally and their serum fasting cholesterol and serum high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were measured along with other baseline investigations. All subjects were non-smokers.Results:Serum total cholesterol (mean ± SD) among asthmatics was 176.45 ± 30.77 mgs/dL as compared to 163.33 ± 26.38 mgs/dL among normal subjects (P < 0.05). This higher serum cholesterol level was found to be associated with asthma independent of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), socio-economic status and serum hsCRP levels. However, the association was only modest (adjusted odds ratio 1.033; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.008-1.059). There was no association between the serum cholesterol and asthma characteristics such as duration of illness, intake of inhaled steroids and frequency of emergency department visits. Other risk factors identified were poor ventilation (adjusted odds ratio 9.27; 95%CI 1.83-46.99) and overcrowding (adjusted odds ratio 41.9; 95% CI 3.15-557.46) at home.Conclusion:Our study found a modest but significant association between higher levels of serum cholesterol and asthma, which is independent of age, gender, BMI, socio-economic status and serum hsCRP. Future research is required in a larger population to substantiate above association and its clinical implications. Poor ventilation and overcrowding at home are risk factors for asthma possibly facilitating increased exposure to indoor allergens.

Prevalence and Predictors of Respiratory Diseases Among Coal-Based Sponge Iron Plant Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Barjora, India

“…This is consistent with other studies, and overcrowding is known to be a risk factor for asthma [19][20][21]. Overcrowding is common in Indian population and may be viewed as a marker for poor indoor hygiene and consequently increased exposure to various indoor allergens (such as house dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, fungi, and molds) that are known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma [19,20]. The odds of rhinoconjunctivitis were lower in participants with pucca/semipucca house type.…”

Lipid profiles in adolescents with and without asthma: Korea National Health and nutrition examination survey data

“…The findings of several studies are consistent with our results. Hypercholesterolemia was found to increase the probability of asthma in both adolescents and adults [ 6 , 17 ]. Additionally, a Taiwan study reported a positive relationship between TC level and asthma development only in boys [ 8 ].…”

“…Meanwhile, hypercholesterolemia plays a pro-inflammatory role, inducing the release of inflammatory cytokines and upregulating cellular adhesion molecules in the endothelium [ 18 , 19 ]. Furthermore, dyslipidemia may also potentiate eosinophilic inflammation that is implicated in other conditions of asthma pathophysiology, such as mucus hypersecretion, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and subepithelial fibrosis [ 6 , 20 – 22 ].…”

Semantic integration of clinical laboratory tests from electronic health records for deep phenotyping and biomarker discovery

“…2) and asthma. 26–30 An increased red blood cell count is not a recognized biomarker of asthma, but could conceivably reflect a number of factors including hypoxemia (11.1% with an acute asthma diagnosis also had a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis), or hemoconcentration resulting from acute dehydration during an asthma attack, but the nature of this retrospective study does not allow us to consult the full medical records to investigate this.…”