Obesity and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux are related to onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms

• Main Authors: Gunnbjornsdottir, M I, Omenaas, E, Gislason, T, Norrman, E, Olin, A C, Jõgi, R, Jensen, E J, Lindberg, E, Bjornsson, E, Franklin, K, Janson, C, Gulsvik, A, Laerum, B, Svanes, C, Torén, K, Tunsäter, A, Lillienberg, L, Gislason, D, Blondal, T, Bjornsdottir, U S, Jorundsdottir, K B, Talvik, R, Forsberg, B, Lundbäck, B, Söderberg, M, Ledin, M C, Boman, G, Norbäck, D, Wieslander, G, Spetz-Nyström, U, Cashelunge, K Stenudd, Rydén, E
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Maney Publishing (for the European Respiratory Society) 2004
• Subjects: Adult; Age Distribution; Analysis of Variance; Asthma; Chi-Square Distribution; Circadian Rhythm; Comorbidity; Comparative Study; Europe; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Health Surveys; Humans; Incidence; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Prognosis; Questionnaires; Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Distribution; Snoring/diagnosis/*epidemiology; Ritrýnd grein; Peer reviewed; Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2336/3468

Several studies have identified obesity as a risk factor for asthma in both children and adults. An increased prevalence of asthma in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome has also been reported. The aim of this investigation was to study obesity, nocturnal GOR and snoring as independent risk factors for onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a Nordic population. In a 5-10 yr follow-up study of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Estonia, a postal questionnaire was sent to previous respondents. A total of 16,191 participants responded to the questionnaire. Reported onset of asthma, wheeze and night-time symptoms as well as nocturnal GOR and habitual snoring increased in prevalence along with the increase in body mass index (BMI). After adjusting for nocturnal GOR, habitual snoring and other confounders, obesity (BMI >30) remained significantly related to the onset of asthma, wheeze and night-time symptoms. Nocturnal GOR was independently related to the onset of asthma and in addition, both nocturnal GOR and habitual snoring were independently related to onset of wheeze and night-time symptoms. This study adds evidence to an independent relationship between obesity, nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux and habitual snoring and the onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms in adults.