Both obesity and reflux are risk factors for asthma in adults
This has moved Maria Gunnbjornsdottir (Department of Medical Sciences: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden) and her colleagues located in countries of Northern Europe to contemplate if reflux might explain the relationship between onset of asthma and obesity. In a questionnaire study based on answers from 16,000 adults in Northern Europe, a relationship was found between obesity and GER at bedtime with onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms.
After adjusting for possible confounders such as smoking and gender, both obesity and reflux were found to be independent risk factors for onset of asthma.
This implies that the increase of asthma onset in obese subjects is not explained solely by an increased prevalence of reflux in obese subjects.
The authors suggest that reduction of asthma onset in adults might be possible by preventing obesity and by treating gastroesophageal reflux.
Contact:
Maria Gunnbjornsdottir
Department of Medical Sciences: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology
Uppsala University
Uppsala, Sweden
Tel: +46 18 611 44 10
Fax: +46 18 611 02 28
Email: maria.gunnbjornsdottir@medsci.uu.se
Original article's title:
Obesity and nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux are related to onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms.
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Ambele sunt de reflux ºi obezitatea factori de risc pentru astm bronºic la adulþi - Both obesity and reflux are risk factors for asthma in adults - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate