The association between waist circumference and adult asthma attack using nationally representative samples

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to explore the relationship between waist circumference and asthma attack in adults.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we analysed data from 5,530 U.S. adults diagnosed with asthma. Participants were categorized into two groups based on their experience of asthma attacks: with or without asthma attacks. We employed adjusted weighted logistic regression models, weighted restricted cubic splines, subgroup and sensitivity analyses to assess the association between waist circumference and asthma attack.

Results: The median age of all participants was 43 years, and the median waist circumference was 98.9 cm, with a median BMI was 28.50 kg/m². Participants in the asthma attack group had significantly higher waist circumferences than those in the non-attack group (P < 0.001). After full adjustment for body mass index-defined obesity, age, gender, race, education levels, poverty income ratio levels, smoking status, and metabolic syndrome, every 5 cm increase in waist circumference exhibited a 1.06 times higher likelihood of asthma attack probability. The weighted restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated an increased risk of asthma attacks with rising waist circumference. Subgroup analyses confirmed this relationship across various groups differentiated by gender, age, and smoking status. When applying a stricter definition of asthma attack, the weighted logistic regression models showed robust association between waist circumference and asthma attack.

Conclusion: Waist circumference is an independent predictor of asthma attacks. Our findings underscore the importance of waist circumference measurement in evaluating the risk of asthma attacks.

Keywords: Association analysis; Asthma; Asthma attack; Waist circumference.