Contrasting associations of body mass index and measles with asthma and rhinitis in young adults

Abstract

Asthma and allergic rhinitis often coexist and are increasing worldwide, particularly among the younger generation. Although the prevalences of adult asthma and allergic rhinitis and their risk factors have been reported, there have been few studies focusing on young adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalences of asthma and allergic rhinitis and their associated factors in Japanese young adults. A questionnaire survey of new students at Hokkaido University about the presence of current wheeze and rhinitis and a history of several viral infections during childhood was conducted in 2008 and 2010. The prevalences of wheeze and rhinitis and their associated factors were evaluated. Of 4076 nonsmoking subjects aged 18-25 years, 261 (6.4%) had current wheeze and 1373 (33.7%) had allergic rhinitis. On multivariate analyses, current wheeze was associated with high body mass index (BMI), atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, and a history of measles infection. In contrast, allergic rhinitis was associated with low BMI, current wheeze, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and no history of measles. When subjects were classified into four groups by the presence or absence of wheeze and rhinitis, both high BMI and a history of measles were positively associated with wheeze without rhinitis but negatively associated with rhinitis without wheeze. High BMI and past measles infection showed contrasting associations with asthma and allergic rhinitis in nonsmoking young adults. It is important to not only recognize the common pathophysiological characteristics of asthma and allergic rhinitis but also to understand their differences.

Estimating the causal effect of body mass index on hay fever, asthma and lung function using Mendelian randomization

“…The observed lack of association in the current study is in line with the conclusions from two research studies of 3047 adults and 3466 adolescents, respectively, and a review including 50 086 individuals . However, several studies have found both inverse and positive associations between BMI/overweight/obesity and hay fever …”

Associations of Current Wheeze and Body Mass Index with Perennial and Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis in Young Adults

“…The questions were as follows: “Have you experienced wheezing or whistling in your chest at any time in the last 12 months?” “Have you ever smoked for as long as a year?” “Do you now smoke, as of 1 month ago?” According to Watanabe et al [12], wheezing during the last 12 months, as specified by the Japanese version of the ECRHS questionnaire, is an index used for international comparisons of asthma prevalence during a specified period and is considered a tool with the highest validity for differentiating between people with and without asthma. Although the same questionnaire had been used from 2008 to 2010 [7], we revised the term “allergic rhinitis” to “allergic rhinitis by hay fever, SAR” and “allergic rhinitis other than hay fever, PAR” in 2011. Furthermore, the survey inquired about the primary residence location of each subject from elementary until high school (age 6–18 years).…”

“…Initially, the questionnaire survey inquired about the presence of AR, and seasonal and perennial rhinitis could not be differentiated [7]. However, given our interest in the differences between the two AR conditions, the items in the questionnaire were revised in 2011 to differentiate between “rhinitis by hay fever (SAR)” and “rhinitis other than hay fever (PAR).”…”

“…A questionnaire survey regarding allergic disease prevalence has been conducted at the Hokkaido University since 2010 [7]. Initially, the questionnaire survey inquired about the presence of AR, and seasonal and perennial rhinitis could not be differentiated [7].…”

Addressing the challenges of severe asthma

“…16 In a young adult Japanese population, Kimura et al assessed the epidemiology of asthma and allergic rhinitis by questionnaire, and report contrasting associations of high BMI and past measles infection with asthma and allergic rhinitis. 17 Because of its significant clinical implications the article by Kimura and colleagues was chosen for this issue's "For the Patient" section (a one page synopsis of a selected article, written in a readily comprehensible fashion to help educate patients).…”