OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of body mass index (BMI) and the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines on asthma control in children with asthma.

METHODSOne hundred and sixteen children with asthma were divided into three groups: normal (n=59), thin (n=31), and obesity (n=26) based on their BMI. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined using ELISA, and the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured by immunoturbidimetric assays. Asthma control status in each group was evaluated by the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) after 4 weeks of treatment.

RESULTSThe serum levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, and TNF-α were highest in the obesity group, followed by the thin group and the normal group (P<0.05), while the C-ACT score was highest in the normal group, followed by the thin group and obesity group (P<0.05). The normal group had significantly higher complete controlled and partially controlled rates than the thin and obesity groups (P<0.05); however, there were no significant differences between the thin and obesity groups (P>0.05). The levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, and TNF-α were negatively correlated with the C-ACT score (P<0.05). There were no significant correlations of BMI with the C-ACT score and levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, and TNF-α (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWhen BMI is too high or too low, the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines are all increased, which is harmful to asthma control. Maintaining a healthy weight in children with asthma may reduce the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines and improve the asthma control rate.