"Underweight and Atopy History, Increased Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases"

Jasaeng Korean Medicine Hospital Spine and Joint Research Institute
Analysis of Risk Factors for Asthma, COPD, and ACO

It has been revealed that patients with dry atopic dermatitis have a higher prevalence of respiratory diseases.
[Photo by Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] An analysis of the characteristics and risk factors of patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) revealed that low body weight and a history of atopy have significant impacts.

The research team led by Korean medicine doctor Won Yoon-jae from Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute announced on the 5th that they analyzed the characteristics and risk factors of patients with asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACO).

The team selected 35,235 adults aged 40 and above with pulmonary function test data from participants in the 4th to 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted over 11 years from January 2008 to December 2018 as the study subjects. They then divided them into asthma, COPD, and ACO groups and analyzed the associations with related factors.

First, the prevalence of asthma was three times higher in females (75.13%) than in males (24.87%). In contrast, the prevalence of COPD and ACO was 3.2 times and 1.2 times higher in males, respectively. Additionally, analysis of the association between education level, occupation, and respiratory diseases showed that all three groups had the highest prevalence among those with less than elementary education or who were unemployed.

Next, to evaluate the association between respiratory diseases and health-related characteristics, the research team conducted a Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis and calculated the correlation as Odds Ratio values. An Odds Ratio greater than 1 indicates a correlation, with higher values representing stronger correlations.

Oriental Medicine Doctor Won Yoonjae at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine.

A notable finding from the study was that both obesity and low body weight were associated with higher prevalence of respiratory diseases compared to normal weight. The Odds Ratio for asthma prevalence in obese individuals was 1.255 (95% confidence interval 1.038, 1.518), showing a significant association, whereas the Odds Ratios for low body weight were 1.405 (95% confidence interval 1.042, 1.896) for the COPD group and 2.463 (95% confidence interval 1.426, 4.253) for the ACO group, indicating higher prevalence. Regarding smoking status, former and current smokers had higher prevalence in the COPD and ACO groups compared to non-smokers, while the association with alcohol consumption was low.

Furthermore, the team analyzed the association between past medical history and respiratory diseases. Diseases highly associated with a history of atopy were asthma and ACO. A history of lung cancer was strongly associated with COPD. Notably, the Odds Ratio between asthma and atopy was 3.175 (95% confidence interval 1.792, 5.624). The research team interpreted this as related to the atopic march, a phenomenon where atopy progresses to allergic asthma.

Doctor Won Yoon-jae stated, "This study is significant as it is the first paper to comprehensively analyze risk factors for three respiratory diseases using long-term data," adding, "It can serve as a reference for policy decisions on treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation."

The study was published in the November issue of the SCI(E)-level journal The Clinical Respiratory Journal (IF= 2.57).