摘要：To understand what conditions may correlate with asthma diagnoses in the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) population, we used Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to construct multivariable logistic regression models separately for LGB individuals and heterosexuals. Current or former smoking and obesity were positively associated with history of an asthma diagnosis among both LGB individuals and heterosexuals. Being underweight (negative correlation) and overweight and reporting frequent symptoms of depression in the preceding 30 days also predicted a history of asthma diagnosis among heterosexuals. Most research on the health of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) population has focused on HIV/AIDS, sexual health, and substance use. 1 , 2 However, recent studies have documented elevated rates of chronic disease risk factors (i.e., physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol and substance use, obesity, lack of access to health care, and nonuse of preventive care) among LGB people relative to heterosexuals. 3 – 6 In particular, LGB populations may be at increased risk for asthma, a chronic illness that involves inflammation in the airways. 1 One analysis revealed that rates of asthma were higher among both male and female members of same-sex couples than among members of male–female couples. 1 Earlier studies showed elevated rates of asthma among some groups of gay, lesbian, and homosexually experienced heterosexual individuals in California and among lesbians and bisexual women in Washington State. 7 , 8 A more recent analysis of data from the Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) indicates that asthma is disproportionately diagnosed among LGB individuals. 9 We assessed how education, urbanicity, weight status, smoking, access to primary care, anxiety, and depression may correlate with asthma diagnoses in the LGB population to help public health practitioners and health care clinicians provide effective treatment.
