Is having asthma associated with an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease? A prospective cohort study of 446 346 Taiwanese adults
Journal
BMJ Open
Journal Volume
8
Journal Issue
5
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
Objectives A significant proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) cannot be explained by well-known risk factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes. One potential novel risk factor for CVD is asthma. We aimed to investigate the association between asthma and mortality due to CVD. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting A large health check-up programme from 1994 to 2011 in Taipei, Taiwan. Participants 446 346 Taiwanese adults. Each participant answered questions regarding asthma history (yes/no) and current daily use of asthma medications (yes/no). Active asthma was defined as those using current daily medications for asthma. Outcomes The participants were followed for mortality from CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke obtained through linkage to the cause-of-death register until 31 December 2011. Results We found an increased risk of dying from CVD in individuals with active asthma (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.32, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.62). The risk of death from CHD or stroke was increased in a similar manner (aHR 1.16, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.73 and aHR 1.23, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.74, respectively) although the HR estimates were less precise than that of CVD. For deaths from CVD, CHD and stroke, we found stronger associations with active asthma than non-active asthma, and for CVD and stroke stronger associations in men than women. Conclusion Our study suggests that asthma, particularly active asthma, may be associated with adverse cardiovascular consequences. ? Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018.
Subjects
asthma; cardiology; epidemiology
SDGs
Other Subjects
antiasthmatic agent; antidiabetic agent; antihypertensive agent; adult; Article; asthma; cardiovascular disease; cardiovascular mortality; cause of death; cerebrovascular accident; cohort analysis; controlled study; diabetes mellitus; disease registry; dying; female; human; hypertension; ischemic heart disease; major clinical study; male; medical examination; medical history; mortality risk; prospective study; risk assessment; sex difference; Taiwan; Taiwanese; asthma; cardiovascular disease; cerebrovascular accident; complication; coronary artery disease; epidemiology; middle aged; mortality; risk factor; Adult; Asthma; Cardiovascular Diseases; Coronary Disease; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Stroke; Taiwan
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Type
journal article