Obesity and risk of respiratory tract infections: results of an infection-diary based cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a major morbidity factor contributing largely to health care costs and individual quality of life. The aim of the study was to test whether obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) is one of the risk factors underlying frequent RTIs in the German adult population.

Methods

We recruited 1455 individuals between 18 to 70 years from a cross-sectional survey on airway infections in Germany and invited them to self-report in diaries incident RTIs experienced during three consecutive winter/spring seasons. RTIs reported in these 18 months and summary measures adding-up individual RTIs were the outcomes of interest.

Results

Compared to individuals with normal weight, obese individuals reported a consistently higher frequency of up

SUBMITTER: Maccioni L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5819164 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature