Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
[Relation between asthma severity and body mass index. Case series]
Luiana Hernández Velásquez1, Nora Hilda Segura Méndez
1Servicio de inmunología clínica y alergia, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI , México, DF.
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.
Related Concept Videos
Asthma-I: Introduction
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
