Effect of insulin resistance on lung function in asthmatic children

Objectives Insulin resistance may be associated with impaired lung function. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between insulin resistance and lung function in asthmatic children. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study on asthmatic children aged 6-18 years at Tertiary Care Center, India. Fasting serum glucose and insulin levels were analyzed to calculate the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in 90 children. Lung function tests were performed. Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationship between insulin resistance and lung function. Linear regression was done to adjust the potential confounders. Results Insulin resistance was present in 15.5% of patients. We found a statistically significant inverse relationship between HOMA-IR and spirometric parameters such as forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% on Spearman correlation. However, adjusted regression for age, gender, and body mass index showed no significant association of lung function parameters with HOMA-IR. Conclusions Insulin resistance may be considered for the decline in lung function in asthmatic children.

Automated summary

This study found that insulin resistance may be related to decreased lung function in asthmatic children, but after adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index, the association was not significant.