[Relation between asthma severity and body mass index. Case series].
BACKGROUND
Obesity is considered an epidemic in many countries. In Mexico it is related with different pathologies, especially asthma. Relation between asthma and obesity is explained by a fat mechanic restrictive factor over thoracic wall, increase of the pulmonary blood volume and a greater symptoms intensity.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the relation between body mass index and severity of asthma in allergic adult patients.


METHODS
A total of 121 patients were evaluated. Diagnosis and classification of asthma severity was performed according to GINA (2004) criteria. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics.


RESULTS
86 women (71.07%) and 35 men (28.92%) with an age average of 30.9 year old were registered. Average weight was 70.15 kg (42-111.5 kg); height, 1.60 m (1.41-1.85 m), and BMI, 27.35 kg/m2 (17.25 to 41.37 kg/m2). In accordance with asthma severity 24 patients had slight intermittent asthma; 35, slight persistent; 45, mild persistent; and 17, severe persistent.


CONCLUSIONS
The relation between body mass index and asthma severity is evident, patients with BMI greater than 25 kg/m2 are more susceptible to suffer asthma from moderate to severe degree, mainly woman.
Hernández Velásquez
Luiana
L
Servicio de inmunología clínica y alergia, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI , México, DF.
Segura Méndez
Nora Hilda
NH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index