Asthma is associated with atherosclerotic artery changes

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammation with a potential systemic impact. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory artery disease. The aim of our study was to prove if there is a correlation between the occurrence of asthma and increased atherosclerotic vessel disorders. Vessel status was compared between mild-to-moderate, severe allergic asthma and matched controls. Measurements of artery stiffness were calculated by central pulse wave velocity, ultrasonographic strain imaging and ankle-brachial index. Atherosclerotic plaque burden was assessed by colour-coded duplex sonography. Additionally, analysis of cardiovascular and asthma blood markers was conducted. Arterial stiffness expressed as an increased central pulse wave velocity and decreased circumferential and radial strains as well as the prevalence of media sclerosis were significantly higher among asthma patients compared to controls. Atherosclerotic plaque burden was relevantly increased in asthma groups vs. controls (severe asthma: 43.1%, mild-to-moderate asthma: 25.0%, control: 14.3% of study participants). Except for the elevated IgE and fibrinogen concentrations as well as leukocyte number there were no relevant differences in the blood parameters between the groups. Allergic asthma is associated with distinct atherosclerotic artery changes compared to the respectively matched control collective. The severity of asthma correlates with more pronounced pathological vessel alternations.

Fig 1

Diagrams representing changes of arterial stiffness measured by central pulse wave velocity (a) and ultrasonographic strain imaging (b-f) depending on the presence of asthma. P<0.05 = significant vs. control.

Fig 2. Increased prevalence of media sclerosis, atherosclerotic plaques as well as cerebral and peripheral artery disease in asthma patients compared to respectively matched controls.

P<0.05 = significant across the groups.

Fig 3. Elevated IgE and fibrinogen levels and higher number of leukocytes with reduced lymphocyte fraction in asthma groups vs. control.

No significant differences in total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), d-dimer, eosinophils, hemoglobin and thrombocytes between the groups. P<0.05 = significant vs. control.