ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OBESITY AND ASTHMA SEVERITY IN ADULT PATIENTS: A HOSPITAL-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Obesity and asthma frequently coexist, and excess adiposity may influence symptom burden, asthma control, lung mechanics and healthcare utilization. Evidence regarding its relationship with asthma severity has been heterogeneous.
Aim:To evaluate the association between obesity and asthma severity among adult patients with bronchial asthma.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was designed among 100 adults aged ≥18 years with physician-diagnosed asthma. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, smoking status, duration of asthma, spirometry and asthma severity were recorded. BMI was categorized as normal weight, overweight and obese. Associations were evaluated using chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA and multivariable logistic regression.
Results:Among 100 patients, 32 (32%) were obese, 34 (34%) overweight and 34 (34%) normal weight. Moderate-to-severe asthma was present in 56% overall. Moderate-to-severe asthma occurred in 75.0% of obese, 58.8% of overweight and 35.3% of normal-weight participants (p=0.003). Mean BMI was higher among patients with moderate-to-severe asthma than those with mild asthma (29.1 ± 5.2 vs 25.3 ± 4.1 kg/m²; p<0.001). Obesity was associated with lower mean FEV1 % predicted and higher frequency of poor asthma control. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking and asthma duration, obesity remained associated with moderate-to-severe asthma (adjusted OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.15–7.10; p=0.024).
Conclusion:Obesity was associated with greater asthma severity, poorer asthma control and reduced pulmonary function in this cohort. Assessment of body weight and targeted weight-management counselling should be incorporated into comprehensive adult asthma care.