The correlation of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium in dietary intake with asthma severity in adults

Abstract

        The objectives of this cross-sectional survey were to examine the association of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium in dietary intake in adults with severe asthma. The sample consisted of 120 asthmatic patients, aged 20 to 80 years who were attending the asthma clinic at a Bangkok chest hospital. The data were collected by questionnaire-based interviews, which covered demographic data, using semi quantitative food frequency questionnaires which assessed intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and asthma severity assessment.
        The results revealed that a higher intake of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium was detected in mild asthmatic patients than severe asthmatic patients. Evaluating the correlation between vitamin A and vitamin C in dietary intake showed a positive association with asthma severity in adults (p = 0.005 and 0.047), but no statistical correlations were detected between vitamin E, selenium and asthma severity. Using multivariate analysis with the dependent variable asthma severity, we found that age, BMI, exercise, duration of asthma, vitamin A and vitamin C were correlated with asthma severity (p<0.05).
        This study revealed that diet can be used as an alternative method to care asthmatic patients . The most likely and most efficient method of exploiting the beneficial effect of individuals and the general population is probably dietary manipulation to increase the intake of natural foods, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, in a balanced formula throughout life.