Is there a gender-specific association between asthma and carotid intima media thickness in Swiss adolescents?
Julia DratvaSeraina CaviezelEmmanuel SchaffnerDaiana StolzThomas RotheNino KuenzliArno Schmidt-TrucksässElisabeth ZempNicole Probst-HenschPublished in: European journal of pediatrics (2018)
Our study suggests an increased risk for early vascular change in adolescent asthmatic boys. Whereas the small number of girls limits the interpretation, the result necessitates further research into sex-specific atherosclerotic burden related to respiratory health in adolescence. What is Known: • Evidence points to a significant impact of adult respiratory disease on cardiovascular health indicators as well as on endpoints. • Inflammation is a key pathway in vascular change across the life course. What is New: • We observe an adverse association between physician-diagnosed asthma and carotid intima media thickness in adolescent boys. • Albeit a limited number of asthmatic girls, we hypothesize the gender typical timing of asthma or a higher male cardiovascular vulnerability as possible explanations for the gender-specific results.
Keyphrases
- lung function
- mental health
- young adults
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- allergic rhinitis
- cystic fibrosis
- air pollution
- optical coherence tomography
- healthcare
- childhood cancer
- emergency department
- public health
- depressive symptoms
- physical activity
- primary care
- oxidative stress
- cardiovascular risk factors
- climate change
- metabolic syndrome
- type diabetes
- health information
- cardiovascular disease
- human health