title: Influence of underweight  on asthma control.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the association between asthma control and body mass index (BMI) has been thoroughly investigated, most of this work has focused on the influence on asthma incidence or the effect of obesity on asthma control. To date, there have been no published studies on the influence of underweight on asthma control.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of underweight, as defined by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (JASSO), on asthma control in Japanese asthmatic patients. Using data from questionnaire surveys administered by the Niigata Asthma Treatment Study Group, we compared asthma control, as measured by the Asthma Control Test (ACT), between a normal weight group (18.5kg/m2 =< BMI < 25kg/m2) and an underweight group (BMI < 18.5kg/m2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the asthmatic patients who completed the 2008 and 2010 surveys, 1464 and 1260 cases were classified as being in the normal weight group, and 174 and 155 cases were classified as being in the underweight group. The ACT score (median, [interquartile range]) in the underweight group in 2008 (22, [19-24]) and 2010 (23, [19-25]) was significantly lower than that in the normal group in 2008 (23, [20-25]) and in 2010 (24, [21-25]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is the first, large-scale investigation of the influence of underweight on asthma control, and we have confirmed an adverse influence in a clinical setting. A potential mechanism for this interaction was unknown. Further investigation will be required.
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1−754 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Japan.
authors: Toshiki
authors: T
authors: Furukawa
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Hasegawa
authors: Kazuo
authors: K
authors: Suzuki
authors: Toshiyuki
authors: T
authors: Koya
authors: Takuro
authors: T
authors: Sakagami
authors: Akira
authors: A
authors: Youkou
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Kagamu
authors: Masaaki
authors: M
authors: Arakawa
authors: Fumitake
authors: F
authors: Gejyo
authors: Ichiei
authors: I
authors: Narita
authors: Eiichi
authors: E
authors: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013851:Thinness