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Beta(2)-adrenoceptor polymorphism and body mass index are associated with adult-onset asthma in sedentary but not active women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE
Beta(2)-adrenoceptor Gly16 polymorphism has been associated with asthma severity and beta(2)-adrenoceptor receptor downregulation, but not with the diagnosis of asthma. Glu27 polymorphism may limit beta(2)-adrenoceptor downregulation and predict body mass index (BMI), particularly among sedentary persons. In addition, BMI predicts asthma. We hypothesized that these DNA sequence variants predict adult-onset asthma only in sedentary women.


DESIGN
Nested case-control study.


SETTING
Nurses' Health Study, a large, prospective cohort study with participants throughout the United States.


PARTICIPANTS
Among lifelong nonsmokers, 171 women with adult-onset, medication-requiring asthma and 137 age-matched control subjects.


MEASUREMENTS
Physical activity and BMI were self-reported by previously validated questionnaire items. Genomic DNA was obtained from buccal brushings collected via first-class mail.


RESULTS
Of 76 sedentary women, the adjusted odds ratios of Gly16 allele were 7.4 (p = 0.047) for asthma and 13.8 (p = 0.02) for steroid-requiring asthma. No similar associations were observed among 232 active women (p = 0.91). Sedentary individuals with both Gly16 and Glu27 alleles had a less elevated risk for asthma. BMI was associated with asthma and Glu27 allele among sedentary women.


CONCLUSION
This exploratory analysis suggests an important gene/environment interaction for asthma involving physical activity level. Further study in larger populations is warranted to confirm if sedentary lifestyle unmasks a genetic risk for asthma.