Artikel
Associations of adipokines with asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in German schoolchildren
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Veröffentlicht: | 6. September 2007 |
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Background: There is growing evidence for an association between obesity and asthma, but little is known about the mechanisms. We investigated the associations of plasma leptin and adiponectin concentrations with asthma and allergies in children.
Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out. Among 462 children aged 10 years plasma leptin and adiponectin concentrations were measured. Information on disease symptoms and diagnosis was collected by parental questioning. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the data.
Results: High leptin levels (≥90th percentile) were associated with increased lifetime prevalence of asthma (OR: 3.76; 95%-CI: 1.42-9.92). The relationship was particularly strong with non-atopic asthma (OR: 5.51; 95%-CI: 1.99-17.51). No associations were observed between plasma leptin levels and hay fever, rhinoconjunctivitis or eczema.
Low adiponectin levels (≤ 10th percentile) were associated with increased prevalence of both symptoms of atopic dermatitis (OR: 3.23; 95%-CI: 1.28-7.76) and eczema ever (OR: 2.35; 95%-CI: 1.13-4.89). In girls and non-atopic children, stronger associations for both leptin and adiponectin levels with asthma than in the comparison groups were observed.
Conclusion: These results suggest that adipokines may contribute to increased asthma and allergy risk in obese subjects. Stronger associations among girls and with non-atopic asthma may indicate diverse pathological mechanisms.
†Stephan K. Weiland, head of the Institute of Epidemiology, Ulm University, died completely unexpected on March 19, 2007. He will live in our memories as a warm-hearted, friendly and always helpful human being and as a great scientist.