Abstract
BACKGROUND: Obesity has been associated with poor outcomes of asthma in cross-sectional studies but long-term effect of obesity on asthma remains unknown.
AIMS: To study the effects of obesity, found at the time of diagnosis of adult-onset asthma, on 12-year prognosis by focusing on oral corticosteroid (OCS) use and respiratory-related hospital admissions.
METHODS: Patients diagnosed with adult-onset asthma (n=203) were divided into three categories based on diagnostic BMI (<25, 25-29.9, ≥30 kg·m-2) and followed for 12-years as part of Seinäjoki Adult Asthma Study. Self-reported and dispensed OCS were assessed for the 12-year period. Data on hospital admissions were analysed based on medical records.
RESULTS: 12 years after diagnosis, of the patients obese (≥30 kg·m-2) at diagnosis, 86% remained obese. During the follow-up, no difference was found in the weight gain between the BMI categories. During the 12-year follow-up, patients obese at diagnosis reported more often use of OCS courses (46.9% versus 23.1%, p=0.028), were dispensed OCS more often (81.6% versus 56.9%, p=0.014) and at higher doses (median 1350 (IQR 280-3180)mg versus 600 (0-1650)mg prednisolone, p=0.010) compared to normal-weight patients. Furthermore, obese had more often ≥1 respiratory-related hospitalisation compared to normal-weight patients (38.8% versus 16.9%, p=0.033). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, obesity predicted oral corticosteroid use and hospital admissions.
CONCLUSIONS: In adult-onset asthma, patients obese at diagnosis mostly remained obese at long-term and had more exacerbations and respiratory-related hospital admissions compared to normal-weight patients during 12-year follow-up. Weight loss should be a priority in their treatment to prevent this outcome.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 2001209 |
Journal | European Respiratory Journal |
Volume | 57 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 8 Oct 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
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