Body Mass Index in Adult Asthmatic Patients

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. Asthma is one of the most common diseases globally and currently affects 300 million people. Asthma and obesity have an enormous impact on public health. Since the 1990s, various studies have shown a correlation between an increase in body mass index (BMI) and asthma prevalence. This descriptive type of cross sectional study was done to find the levels of BMI in adult asthmatic patients and carried out in the Department of Physiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from July 2014 to January 2016. Fifty male and 50 female adult asthmatic patients aged 18-60 years were included in the study group. They are enrolled from the Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh and also from locality. For comparison age matched 50 male and 50 female apparently healthy persons were also studied as control. BMI were calculated by weight in kg divided by height in square meter (m²). For statistical analysis unpaired Student's 't' test was used. Mean BMI were significantly increased in both study group in comparison to control group and the result was statistically significant (p<0.001). From this study, it may be concluded that increase body mass index that is overweight or obesity can increase the prevalence and incidence of asthma. Obesity, by means of inflammatory mechanism or changes in lifestyle can trigger asthmatics symptoms in susceptible individuals.