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Associations between respiratory and vascular function in early childhood
Hemstock, Emily J. Shao, Jingyi Zhao, Bing Hall, Graham L. Wheeler, Amanda J. Dharmage, Shyamali C. Melody, Shannon M. Dalton, Marita F. Foong, Rachel E. Williamson, Grant J.
Hemstock, Emily J.
Shao, Jingyi
Zhao, Bing
Hall, Graham L.
Wheeler, Amanda J.
Dharmage, Shyamali C.
Melody, Shannon M.
Dalton, Marita F.
Foong, Rachel E.
Williamson, Grant J.
Abstract
Background and objective
The link between respiratory and vascular health is well documented in adult populations. Impaired lung function is consistently associated with thicker arteries and higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, there are limited data on this relationship in young children and the studies that exist have focussed on populations at high risk of cardiorespiratory morbidity. We determined if an association exists between respiratory and cardiovascular function in young children and, if so, whether it is confounded by known cardiorespiratory risk factors.
Methods
Respiratory and vascular data from a prospective cohort study established to evaluate the health implications 3 years after coal mine fire smoke exposure in children aged 3–5 years were used. Respiratory function was measured using the forced oscillation technique and included resistance at 5 Hz (R5), reactance at 5 Hz (X5) and area under the reactance curve (AX). Vascular health was measured by carotid intima-media thickness (ultrasound) and pulse wave velocity (arterial tonometry). Regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between the respiratory Z-scores and cardiovascular measures. Subsequent analyses were adjusted for potential confounding by maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal education and exposure to fine particulate matter <2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5).
Results
Peripheral lung function (X5 and AX), but not respiratory system resistance (R5), was associated with vascular function. Adjustment for maternal smoking, maternal education and early life exposure to PM2.5 had minimal effect on these associations.
Conclusion
These observations suggest that peripheral lung stiffness is associated with vascular stiffness and that this relationship is established early in life.
Keywords
early life, maternal education, particulate matter, respiratory function, smoking, vascular function
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Respirology
Book
Volume
26
Issue
11
Page Range
1060-1066
Article Number
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled