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Blood lipid levels correlate with childhood asthma

Blood lipid levels are associated with asthma, airway obstruction, bronchial responsiveness and aeroallergen sensitization in children, according to study results.

The results suggest asthma and allergies are systemic disorders sharing dyslipidemia with other chronic inflammatory disorders, according to the researchers.

“Our study shows that the blood lipid profile known to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases also confers a risk of asthma and allergy in childhood, suggesting that the same treatment regimen could be relevant for those diseases as well,” Rebecca K. Vinding, MD, from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, and colleagues wrote.

Vinding and colleagues measured high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride levels in 301 children aged 5 to 7 years from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood₂₀₀₀ at-risk birth cohort (n = 411) to determine if children’s lipid profiles correlated with concurrent asthma, altered lung function and allergic sensitization.

The results suggested high levels of LDL-C are associated with concurrent asthma in children (aOR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.06-3.55), as well as 50% of forced expiratory flow (P = .01).

High HDL-C levels correlated with improved specific airway resistance (P = .02) and decreased bronchial responsiveness (P = .02).

However, triglyceride levels had no association with lung function measures.

Blood lipid levels did have an influence on allergen sensitization. The researchers noted that high HDL-C levels lowered the risk for sensitization against aeroallergens (aOR = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.01-0.7), while high triglyceride levels increased the risk for aeroallergen sensitization (aOR = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.14-3.56). 

The researchers acknowledged more research is needed to determine if certain treatments would be beneficial in children with asthma.

“The findings of our study encourage performance of randomized controlled trials investigating whether children with asthma and traits of dyslipidemia would benefit from dietary changes, increased activity, and for some subgroups, perhaps statin treatment.” – by Ryan McDonald

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.