Recent insight into obesity and asthma.
1National Jewish Health, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Programs, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA. beutherd@njhealth.org
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine
|October 22, 2009
Summary
Obesity is a risk factor for asthma, but mechanisms are unclear. Obese asthma may be a unique phenotype requiring aggressive intervention and further research into its complex mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Metabolic Disorders
- Immunology
Background:
- The global obesity pandemic presents challenges for asthma diagnosis and treatment.
- Epidemiologic data confirm a bidirectional relationship between asthma and obesity, though underlying mechanisms remain elusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the intricate relationship between obesity and asthma.
- To explore potential mechanisms linking obesity to asthma development and exacerbation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent epidemiologic and mechanistic studies.
- Assessment of current knowledge on obesity-asthma associations.
Main Results:
- Obesity may represent a distinct asthma phenotype with a more severe clinical course and altered treatment response.
- Emerging evidence points to inflammatory, immunologic, genetic, and mechanical factors, including adipokines, visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.
Conclusions:
- The exact causal pathways between obesity and asthma require further elucidation.
- Weight gain and obesity significantly complicate asthma management, necessitating targeted interventions for affected individuals.
- Further research, including randomized controlled trials and well-characterized prospective studies, is crucial for understanding mechanisms and optimizing treatment for obese asthma.
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