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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 553-558 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Asthma |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1 2006 |
Funding
Supported by the American Lung Association and grant K23 RR019965. ∗Corresponding author: Anne E. Dixon, M.D., Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Patrick 204, Fletcher Allen Health Care, 111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401; E-mail: [email protected]
Keywords
- Asthma
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Obesity
- Spirometry
- Theophylline
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Immunology and Allergy