Meta-analysis of the association between asthma and serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Background

The reported associations of blood lipid profiles with asthma are ambiguous.

Objective

To explore the association between asthma and the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

Methods

A systematic search was performed in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Chinese Biomedical Literature databases. Ten studies were identified. We divided these studies into 2 subgroups according to age: children (<18 years old) and adults (≥18 years old).

Results

In children, the asthma group had lower HDL-C levels (weighted mean difference, ?3.44; 95% confidence interval CI], ?5.83 to ?1.04; P = .005) compared with the nonasthma group, whereas the serum levels of LDL-C in these 2 groups were not statistically different. In contrary, in adults, the asthma group had higher LDL-C levels (weighted mean difference, 8.95; 95% confidence interval, 3.55–14.35; P = .001) compared with the nonasthma group, whereas the HDL-C levels were not statistically different.

Conclusion

There is a significant association between asthma and the serum levels of HDL-C and LDL-C. Moreover, this association differs in children and adults.