The relationship between obesity and asthma severity and control in adults.
BACKGROUND
The association of obesity with asthma outcomes is not well understood.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the association of obesity, as represented by a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30 kg/m(2), with quality-of-life scores, asthma control problems, and asthma-related hospitalizations.


METHODS
The study followed a cross-sectional design. Questionnaires were completed at home by a random sample of 1113 members of a large integrated health care organization who were 35 years of age or older with health care use suggestive of active asthma. Outcomes included the mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire, and self-reported asthma-related hospitalization. Several other factors known to influence asthma outcomes also were collected: demographics, smoking status, oral corticosteroid use in the past month, evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and inhaled corticosteroid use in the past month. Multiple logistic regression models were used to measure the association of BMI status with outcomes.


RESULTS
Even after adjusting for demographics, smoking status, oral corticosteroid use, evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and inhaled corticosteroid use, obese adults were more likely than those with normal BMIs (<25 kg/m(2)) to report poor asthma-specific quality of life (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% CI, 1.6-4.9), poor asthma control (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.7-4.3), and a history of asthma-related hospitalizations (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.4-14.4).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that obesity is associated with worse asthma outcomes, especially an increased risk of asthma-related hospitalizations.
Mosen
David M
DM
Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente, Portland, OR 92111, USA. david.m.mosen@kpchr.org
Schatz
Michael
M
Magid
David J
DJ
Camargo
Carlos A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires