| Abstract: |
Obesity is associated with an increased prevalence of asthma, especially in women, and appears to be more severe in the obese. This study aimed to determine if obese subjects have a specific asthma phenotype.Methods: 200 consecutive asthmatic patients, completed an asthma control questionnaire, and sputum induction for differential cell count. BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and blood serum C-reactive protein also were measured. 200 consecutive apparently healthy obese subjects (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) underwent bronchial provocation by exercise provocation test.Results: There is a high incidence of obesity in asthmatic patients, The association between obesity and asthma was higher in females , The score of ACQ increased with increase BMI and W.C of asthmatic patients, Induced-sputum eosinophil and neutrophil counts were similar in both groups, Blood serum C-reactive protein was higher in obese subjects than in nonobese subjects. There is a statistically significant association between increasing BMI and the presence of bronchial hyperreactivity in obese healthy group.Conclusion: Obese people with asthma had poorer asthma control than nonobese asthmatics despite similar symptoms perception. Bronchial and systemic inflammatory characteristics and the specific pattern of pulmonary function changes suggest a different phenotype of asthma in these subjects. Apparently healthy obese persons who complain of dyspnea and wheeze should not be neglected because in a considerable percentage there is airway hyperresponsiveness..
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