D2.103 - Exploring association between lung function, asthma and epigenetic predisposition to obesity

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic non-communicable diseases in adults. While obesity is a recognized risk factor for asthma, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. 

This study aims to evaluate the association between obesity-related methylation risk score and asthma and lung function.

DNA methylation data of 2469 adults were obtained from the Taiwan Biobank. We calculated four methylation risk score (MRS) for BMI, change of BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) based on published epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS). The MRS were analyzed as both continuous variables and dichotomized categories. Finally, we examined the associations of the four obesity-related MRS with asthma and lung function (including FVC (%), FEV₁ (%), FEV₁/FVC, MMEF (%)).

The MRS for waist circumference (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.08-2.37) and waist-to-hip ratio (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05-1.72) were significantly associated with higher risk of asthma. Individuals with a higher WHR-related MRS had a 103% increased risk of asthma compared to those with a lower WHR-related MRS. Significant associations were also observed between the MRS for waist circumference and FEV₁ (%) (beta: 3.53, 95% CI: 1.44 - 5.62), FEV₁/FVC (beta: 3.29, 95% CI: 1.35 - 5.23), and MMEF (%) (beta: 4.23, 95% CI: 1.61 – 6.86).

Our findings suggested that obesity-related methylation risk scores, particularly those for waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, were significantly associated with an increased risk of asthma and better lung function. These results highlight the potential role of epigenetic predisposition to obesity in the development of asthma. Further studies are warranted to explore the potential interventions targeting obesity-related epigenetic markers.