Abstract
Dietary intake potentially modifies the prevalence or severity of asthma. The prevalence of asthma is higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); it is not known if diet confounds or modifies the association between asthma and PCOS. The aims of this study were: (i) To determine if the association of PCOS and asthma is independent of dietary pattern and (ii) to determine if dietary pattern modifies the association between PCOS and asthma. Women in this study were from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) cohort born between 1973 to 1978 and aged 18 to 23 years (n = 7382). Logistic regression was used to assess the association between PCOS and asthma, adjusting for the following: (i) Potential confounders identified a priori and (ii) dietary patterns (z-score) identified by principle component analysis. In the adjusted analysis, women with PCOS were more likely to have asthma than the women without PCOS (OR 1.35 and 95% CI, 1.02 and 1.78). This relationship was not altered by further adjustment for dietary patterns (non-core food, meats and takeaway, or Mediterranean-style pattern). In the interaction analysis, only the women consuming less than the median intake of non-core foods (i.e., lower intake of discretionary or unhealthy foods) and with PCOS were more likely to have asthma (OR 1.91 and 95% CI, 1.29 and 2.82). Dietary intake did not confound the relationship between PCOS and asthma. Other mechanistic pathways are likely responsible for the asthma and PCOS association, and further studies assessing factors such as oral contraceptive use and sex steroid hormones warrant investigation.
Highlights
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder with a reported overall prevalence rate of 6% to 10% [1] based on the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria of two of three features, i.e., oligoor anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, after exclusion of other causes [2]
We extend our previous research to report that this higher prevalence of asthma was maintained after adjusting for dietary intake, dietary patterns high in non-core foods, meats and takeaway, or a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern
We report for the first time an interaction between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the non-core foods dietary pattern score, such that the relationship between PCOS and asthma was only observed for women with a lower score on the non-core foods dietary pattern, indicating an overall healthier diet with lower intake of discretionary foods
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder with a reported overall prevalence rate of 6% to 10% [1] based on the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria of two of three features, i.e., oligoor anovulation, hyperandrogenism (clinical or biochemical), and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, after exclusion of other causes [2]. PCOS is associated with reproductive (hyperandrogenism, anovulation, infertility, and pregnancy complications) [3] and metabolic features (elevated prevalence of and risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease) [4,5], along with psychological impact, such as increased risk of depression and anxiety [6] and impaired quality of life [7]. Insulin resistance is a key pathophysiological contributor to PCOS. Excess body weight exacerbates insulin resistance and the severity of PCOS symptoms [9]. Inflammation is proposed as a pathophysiological contributor to PCOS [10]. This is as a consequence of elevated obesity, as women with PCOS have higher levels of proinflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein than BMI-matched controls [11,12,13]. Other studies have revealed that women who have PCOS do not have higher levels of inflammation than women without PCOS [14,15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
