Erythrocyte Fatty Acid Profile, Mediterranean Diet and Asthma Severity in Childhood Allergic Asthma: Preliminary Findings from a Cohort Study in Spain

Abstract

Allergic asthma incidence is increasing, probably due to the influenceof the Western diet. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDi) and omega-3 fattyacids composition (n-3 PUFAs) may be linked to a lower prevalence and lower severity ofchildhood asthma; however, the association is inconclusive. This study aims to examinethe relationship between adherence to the MedDi, asthma severity, and erythrocyte fattyacid profile in Spanish children with atopic asthma. Methods: This study was based on anongoing single-center, prospective, cross-sectional cohort study involving 95 consecutivelyenrolled children from an outpatient tertiary referral center. Of these, 55 had atopic asthmaand 40 were age-matched healthy controls. Blood samples were collected to analyze theerythrocyte fatty acid content. Participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics wererecorded using validated self-reported outcome measures. Asthma severity and pulmonaryfunction were assessed. Results: Asthmatics presented poorer adherence to the MedDi(p = 0.034) and lower n-3 PUFA levels (p = 0.019). Asthmatics with poor adherence to theMedDi were more likely to be overweight (p = 0.001) and to have moderate-severe asthma(p = 0.049); and lower n-3 PUFAs levels (p = 0.033). Children with mild asthma had highern-3 PUFAs levels than those with moderate or severe asthma (p = 0.036). Conclusions:These findings highlight that adherence to the MedDi and a high erythrocyte fatty acidprofile seem to have a protective effect in childhood asthma. Future well-controlled interventionsshould focus on the effects of MedDi patterns and n-3 PUFA intake on the primaryprevention of childhood asthma.