Retrospective study analyzes lung function variations in asthma patients based on body mass index, suggesting weight management importance.
BACKGROUND: Asthma is a heterogeneous airway disease with variable airflow limitation. Evidence suggests obesity may influence asthma severity and pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters, yet Indian data remain scarce. This study aimed to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on lung function and clinicodemographic characteristics of asthmatic patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted at the Department of Chest Medicine at a tertiary care hospital. METHODOLOGY: Data of 100 adult patients with clinically diagnosed asthma were retrieved from the PFT laboratory registry. Demographics, BMI, comorbidities, addictions, and occupations were documented. PFT indices (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV 1 ], forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV 1 /FVC ratio, forced expiratory flow [FEF]25-75, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)) were analyzed pre and postbronchodilator across BMI categories (underweight, normal, overweight, and obese). Statistical significance was determined using Chi-square and analysis of variance tests. RESULTS: Of 100 patients, 55% were female and 45% male, with the majority aged 18–45 years. Homemakers (34%) and students (20%) were the predominant occupations. Most patients (52%) had normal BMI, while 27% were overweight, 12% underweight, and 9% obese. Comorbidities were uncommon (7% had diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disorders). On PFT analysis, mean prebronchodilator FEV 1 and FVC values significantly declined with increasing BMI ( P = 0.006 and P = 0.004, respectively). Postbronchodilator improvement was seen across groups, but remained lowest among obese patients. FEF25-75 and PEFR also showed significant postbronchodilator variation ( P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Obesity adversely impacts lung function among asthmatics, with lower baseline and postbronchodilator FEV 1 and FVC values. These findings emphasize the importance of weight management as part of asthma control strategies in clinical practice.
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Karpe et al. (2025) studied this question.