title: Obesity increases the risk of incident asthma among adults.
abstract: The annual incidence of asthma in adults in northern Sweden has been estimated at 2.3 per thousand population. Risk factors for incident asthma among adults were studied in a case-referent study based on incident cases of asthma during 1995-1999. The healthcare providers reported suspected cases of incident asthma. After clinical examination, 309 (65% female) of 473 reported subjects were included. Inclusion criteria were a history of incident asthma (onset <12 months) and verified bronchial variability. Referents were randomly selected and stratified by age, sex and area of residence. The significant risk factors were hay fever, a family history of asthma, ex-smoking status and elevated body mass index (25.0-29.9 and > or =30). The risk factor pattern was similar for females and males, and increased body mass index was a significant risk factor for both males and females, as well as for allergic and nonallergic subjects. In conclusion, in addition to hay fever, a family history of asthma, allergic sensitisation and ex-smoking status, increased body mass index was a significant risk factor for incident asthma independent of sex and allergic status.
authors.affiliation: The Obstructive Lung in Northern Sweden Studies, Dept of Medicine, Sunderby Central Hospital of Norrbotten, Luleå, Sweden. eva.ronmark@nll.se
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rönmark
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nyström
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Forsberg
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Järvholm
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lundbäck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology