Asthma prevalence is increased in patients with high metabolism scores for visceral fat: study reports from the US

Correlations between oxidative balance score and female asthma among U.S. adults

In order to explore the association of oxidative balance score (OBS) with female asthma among U.S. adults, we applied multiple logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline, and subgroup analysis using a cross-sectional study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). 17,582 female out of the 91,351 participants from 2001 to 2018 in NHANES were enrolled in the analysis and 2,795 female participants had asthma. In three models, the OBS was negatively associated with female asthma incidence with the odds ratios (OR) = 0.99. When comparing the ratio of Q2, Q3, and Q4 of OBS quartiles against the Q1 quartile, the adjusted OR with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were 0.88 (0.75-1.03), 0.84 (0.73-0.97), and 0.82 (0.70-0.96) respectively, with p < 0.01 in the all covariates adjusted models. The restricted cubic splines indicated a linear relationship between OBS and female asthma. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant interaction effects except in the smoke group (p < 0.001), and there was a significant difference in the former smoker with OR 0.97 (0.96-0.99). We observed that there is negative relationship between OBS score and female asthma incidence, which suggests OBS probably is a protective factor for female on-set asthma. According to the subgroup analysis, smoking should be recommended to reduce asthma morbidity.

The visceral adiposity index is associated with asthma, especially current asthma: A cross-sectional study of NHANES, 2003 to 2018

To investigate the association between the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and asthma using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2018 by a cross-sectional study. We explored the potential relationship between the VAI and asthma incidence via a cross-sectional study of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2018. Multiple logistic regression analysis, restricted cubic spline analysis and subgroup analysis were performed. Among the 80,312 participants, 1984 had been told by a doctor or other health professional, and 1142 still had asthma. With all confounders controlled, the VAI was positively associated with asthma incidence (odds ratios 1.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.01, 1.08). When comparing the second, third, and fourth VAI quartiles to the lowest quartile, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for asthma risk were 1.02 (0.86, 1.21), 1.14 (0.96, 1.36), and 1.18 (1, 1.39), respectively (P for trend = .02). Subgroup analysis revealed no significant interaction effect among the subgroups (P > .05). The positive association was stronger in current asthma patients (odds ratios 1.13, 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.24). When comparing the second, third, and fourth VAI quartiles to the lowest quartile, the adjusted odds ratios for current asthma risk were 1.15 (0.81, 1.64), 1.29 (0.91, 1.84), and 1.51 (1.01, 2.24), respectively (P for trend .04). The restricted cubic spline regression analysis did not reveal a nonlinear correlation between the VAI and asthma or current asthma. Subgroup analysis revealed a significant interaction effect between age (P for interaction = .03) and diabetes status (P for interaction = .02). Except in the age ≥60 years, Less than high school, normal body mass index subgroup, VAI, and current asthma were positively correlated. A positive relationship between the VAI and asthma incidence was observed. In particular, there was a strong positive correlation between the VAI score and current asthma. According to the subgroup analysis, more attention should be given to individuals aged 40 to 59 years who have diabetes.

Association between metabolic score of visceral fat and carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese health screening population: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The metabolic score for visceral fat (METS-VF) quantifies the cumulative burden of visceral and intra-abdominal adipose tissues. However, the relationship between the METS-VF and carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) has not been extensively explored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the METS-VF and CAS.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled 7089 Chinese adults who underwent physical examinations at the Zhenhai Lianhua Hospital, Zhejiang, China, in 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to explore the linear relationship between METS-VF and CAS. Generalised additive models (GAM) were employed to evaluate potential nonlinear associations. The inflection points of METS-VF were determined using segmented logistic regression analysis optimised for maximum likelihood ratios and recursive algorithms.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between METS-VF and CAS (odds ratio [OR]: 1.824, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.753-1.899; P < 0.001). The GAM analysis confirmed a nonlinear association between them [effective degrees of freedom: 4.803, χ2: 876.7, P < 0.001], with an inflection point at a METS-VF of 8.09 (P < 0.001 for log-likelihood ratio test). Below this inflection point, METS-VF exhibited a significant positive association with CAS risk (OR: 1.874, 95% CI: 1.796-1.954; P < 0.001). Conversely, no significant association was observed when METS-VF ≥ 8.09 (OR: 0.998, 95% CI: 0.786-1.268; P = 0.989).

CONCLUSIONS

METS-VF and CAS demonstrated a positive non-linear correlation, with the curve indicating a saturation effect at METS-VF = 8.09.

Investigating a novel surrogate indicator of adipose accumulation in relation to erectile dysfunction

INTRODUCTION

Although previous studies have linked obesity and erectile dysfunction, the novel surrogate indicators of adipose accumulation are more essential and dependable factors to consider. Therefore, the primary objective of the current investigation was to examine and clarify the association between metabolic score for visceral fat (METS-VF) and erectile dysfunction.

METHODS

Firstly, multivariate logistic regression analysis, smoothed curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis were employed to investigate the association between METS-VF and erectile dysfunction. Mediation analysis was also performed to evaluate the mediating role of homocysteine and inflammation. After that, subgroup analysis was carried out to examine the stability of the correlation of METS-VF with erectile dysfunction in various population settings. Furthermore, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm were utilized to assess the capability of identifying METS-VF in comparison to the other four obesity-related indicators in identifying erectile dysfunction.

RESULTS

After adjusting for all confounding factors, METS-VF was strongly and favourablely correlated with erectile dysfunction. With each additional unit rise in METS-VF, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction increased by 141%. A J-shaped relationship between METS-VF and erectile dysfunction was discovered through smoothed curve fitting. Marital status, physical activity, and smoking status can potentially modify this association. This finding of the ROC curve suggests that METS-VF had a powerful identifying capacity for erectile dysfunction (AUC = 0.7351). Homocysteine and inflammation mediated 4.24% and 2.81%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the current investigation suggest that METS-VF can be considered a dependable identifying indicator of erectile dysfunction.

Unraveling the Link between Ιnsulin Resistance and Bronchial Asthma

Evidence from large epidemiological studies has shown that obesity may predispose to increased Th2 inflammation and increase the odds of developing asthma. On the other hand, there is growing evidence suggesting that metabolic dysregulation that occurs with obesity, and more specifically hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, may modify immune cell function and in some degree systemic inflammation. Insulin resistance seldom occurs on its own, and in most cases constitutes a clinical component of metabolic syndrome, along with central obesity and dyslipidemia. Despite that, in some cases, hyperinsulinemia associated with insulin resistance has proven to be a stronger risk factor than body mass in developing asthma. This finding has been supported by recent experimental studies showing that insulin resistance may contribute to airway remodeling, promotion of airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractility and proliferation, increase of airway hyper-responsiveness and release of pro-inflammatory mediators from adipose tissue. All these effects indicate the potential impact of hyperinsulinemia on airway structure and function, suggesting the presence of a specific asthma phenotype with insulin resistance. Epidemiologic studies have found that individuals with severe and uncontrolled asthma have a higher prevalence of glycemic dysfunction, whereas longitudinal studies have linked glycemic dysfunction to an increased risk of asthma exacerbations. Since the components of metabolic syndrome interact with one another so much, it is challenging to identify each one's specific role in asthma. This is why, over the last decade, additional studies have been conducted to determine whether treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus affects comorbid asthma as shown by the incidence of asthma, asthma control and asthma-related exacerbations. The purpose of this review is to present the mechanism of action, and existing preclinical and clinical data, regarding the effect of insulin resistance in asthma.