Effect of obesity on clinical presentation and response to treatment in asthma

J Asthma. 2006 Sep;43(7):553-8. doi: 10.1080/02770900600859123.

Abstract

Obesity is a risk factor for being diagnosed with asthma, but there is conflicting evidence on whether obesity is a risk factor for lung function abnormalities characteristic of asthma. We studied a cohort of 488 subjects, 47% of whom were obese. Obese and non-obese subjects with asthma had similar airflow limitation and bronchodilator responsiveness, but obese participants had increased sleep disturbance and gastroesophageal reflux disease, higher cytokine levels, and a trend towards increased exacerbations when treated with theophylline. Obese and non-obese asthmatics have similar lung function abnormalities, but comorbidities and altered responses to medications may significantly affect asthma control in obese people.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / pharmacokinetics
  • Acetates / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / epidemiology
  • Bronchodilator Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclopropanes
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Disease Progression
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / drug effects
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / diagnosis
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Quinolines / pharmacokinetics
  • Quinolines / therapeutic use*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / epidemiology
  • Sulfides
  • Theophylline / pharmacokinetics
  • Theophylline / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vital Capacity / drug effects

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Cyclopropanes
  • Cytokines
  • Quinolines
  • Sulfides
  • Theophylline
  • montelukast