Factors associated with BMI in Greek adults with asthma.
BACKGROUND
The association between asthma and obesity remains controversial and limited to a few studies.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and clinical measures of asthma morbidity in Greek asthma patients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study in 100 outpatients at the asthma department of the "Amalia Fleming" General Hospital in Athens, Greece, was conducted. Asthma diagnosis was confirmed by a specialist, according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. Participants were classified, with respect to BMI (kg/m(2)), in three groups: normal: <25.0, overweight: 25.0-29.9.0 and obese: > or = 30.0. Data were modeled through multiple logistic regression analysis for the association of overweight/obesity with the study variables: demographics, asthma severity, smoking, pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in one second; FEV(1)), asthma control (Asthma Control Test; ACT), disability associated with dyspnea (Medical Research Council [MRC] breathlessness scale), and physical activity in leisure time.


RESULTS
Overweight/obesity was detected in 56 participants (56%). Multivariate regression analysis resulted in an excess risk of overweight/obesity for older participants (odds ratio [OR]: 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-2.64 for a 10-year increase in age).


CONCLUSIONS
Age seems to be highly associated with overweight/obesity in Greek adults with asthma who tend to maintain a similar body weight compared to the general population.
University of Athens, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Laboratory of Adapted Physical Activity/Developmental and Physical Disabilities, Athens, Greece. igrammat@gmail.com
Eirini
E
Grammatopoulou
Aikaterini
A
Haniotou
Angeliki
A
Douka
Dimitra
D
Koutsouki
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000209:etiology*