Childhood asthma was associated with the presence of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases in US middle-aged and elderly

Abstract

BackgroundAsthma and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) share a common etiology of chronic systemic inflammation. Our manuscript was to investigate the association between childhood asthma and CVDs in middle-aged and elderly. MethodsA total of 12,070 US middle-aged and elder were enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Childhood asthma was defined as a previous diagnosis of asthma at <18 years of age. Associations between childhood asthma and overall and cause-specific CVDs were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models and subgroup analyses, including coronary artery disease (CAD), angina, and stroke. ResultsThe prevalence of CVDs, including CAD (p = 0.031) and angina (p < 0.001), was significantly higher in patients with asthma (p = 0.008). Asthma was independently associated with a higher risk of CVDs (odds ratio [OR]:1.50, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–1.84, p < 0.001), CAD (OR: 1.55, 95 %CI: 1.17–2.02, p = 0.002), and angina (OR: 1.93, 95 %CI: 1.42–2.58, p < 0.001) while not related to stroke (p = 0.233). Subgroup analysis suggested that the association was consistent across sex, race, and the presence of obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes. ConclusionsChildhood asthma was significantly associated with the presence of cardiocerebrovascular diseases, including CAD and angina in middle-aged and elderly. These findings underscore the importance of addressing childhood asthma as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity in middle-aged and elderly populations.