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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Cough | Research article

Omega-3 fatty acid intake and prevalent respiratory symptoms among U.S. adults with COPD

Authors: Chantal M. Lemoine S, Emily P. Brigham, Han Woo, Corrine K. Hanson, Meredith C. McCormack, Abigail Koch, Nirupama Putcha, Nadia N. Hansel

Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and derivatives, play a key role in the resolution of inflammation. Higher intake has been linked to decreased morbidity in several diseases, though effects on respiratory diseases like COPD are understudied.

Methods

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), with a focus on dietary assessment, provides a unique opportunity to explore relationships between omega-3 intake and morbidity in respiratory diseases marked by inflammation in the United States (US) population. We investigated relationships between ALA or EPA + DHA intake and respiratory symptoms among US adults with COPD, as well as variation in relationships based on personal characteristics or exposures.

Results

Of 878 participants, mean age was 60.6 years, 48% were current smokers, and 68% completed high school. Omega-3 intake was, 1.71 ± 0.89 g (ALA), and 0.11 ± 0.21 g (EPA + DHA). Logistic regression models, adjusting for age, gender, race, body mass index, FEV₁, education, smoking status, pack-years, total caloric intake, and omega-6 (linoleic acid, LA) intake demonstrated no primary associations between omega-3 intake and respiratory symptoms. Interaction terms were used to determine potential modification of relationships by personal characteristics (race, gender, education) or exposures (LA intake, smoking status), demonstrating that at lower levels of LA intake, increasing ALA intake was associated with reduced odds of chronic cough (p_int = 0.015) and wheeze (p_int = 0.037). EPA + DHA, but not ALA, was associated with reduced symptoms only among current smokers who did not complete high school.

Conclusions

Individual factors should be taken into consideration when studying the association of fatty acid intake on respiratory diseases, as differential responses may reveal susceptible subgroups.

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Title: Omega-3 fatty acid intake and prevalent respiratory symptoms among U.S. adults with COPD
Authors: Chantal M. Lemoine S
Emily P. Brigham
Han Woo
Corrine K. Hanson
Meredith C. McCormack
Abigail Koch
Nirupama Putcha
Nadia N. Hansel
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Cough
Cough
Cough
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2466
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-019-0852-4

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