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Prevalence of Metabolic Abnormalities and their Association with Asthma Symptom Control in Children

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Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome (MS) in children with asthma, aged 10 to 15 y, and to determine if these metabolic abnormalities showed an association with asthma symptom control and lung function.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary centre in north India. Consecutive children with physician diagnosed asthma were enrolled. Asthma symptom control over previous four weeks was assessed as per Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) recommendations. Fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin and lipid levels were estimated. Homeostasis Model Assessment- Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was used as a marker of IR. Spirometry was performed for assessing lung function.

Results

Eighty-three children were enrolled. Median (IQR) age was 12.0 (11.0, 13.5) y and mean (SD) body mass index (BMI) Z score was −0.42 (1.0). Median (IQR) HOMA-IR was 1.65 (1.06, 2.39). Prevalence of IR was 42.3% (95% CI: 31.7–52.9%). Number of children with elevated triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was 4 (4.8%), 4 (4.8%) and 5 (6%), respectively. Sixty-seven (80.7%) children had low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. Only one subject was found to have metabolic syndrome. Presence of IR and elevation in serum insulin and triglycerides were associated with poorer asthma control, independent of BMI. None of the metabolic parameters were associated with lung function, after adjusting for height.

Conclusions

Among children with asthma, aged 10 to 15 y, the prevalence of IR was 42.3% (95% CI: 31.7–52.9%). Elevated serum insulin, triglycerides, and presence of IR were associated with poorer asthma control, after adjusting for BMI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

    Ketan Kumar, Rakesh Lodha, Kana Ram Jat, Vandana Jain & Sushil K. Kabra

Authors
  1. Ketan Kumar
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  2. Rakesh Lodha
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  3. Kana Ram Jat
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  4. Vandana Jain
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  5. Sushil K. Kabra
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Contributions

KK and RL conceptualized the study; KK, RL, KRJ, VJ and SKK were involved in designing the study; KK performed the data acquisition and analysis, and wrote the first draft; RL, KRJ, VJ and SKK revised and approved the final manuscript. RL will act as guarantor for this manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rakesh Lodha.

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Conflict of Interest

Authors RL and SKK are members of the editorial board of the Journal. Authors KK, KRJ and VJ declare that there are no conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

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Kumar, K., Lodha, R., Jat, K.R. et al. Prevalence of Metabolic Abnormalities and their Association with Asthma Symptom Control in Children. Indian J Pediatr 91, 434–440 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-023-04716-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-023-04716-4

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