Exploring the Asthma - Obesity Link Using Advanced Imaging Techniques

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Rising global obesity rates are linked to increased asthma prevalence and severity.
• Obesity exacerbates asthma control and susceptibility.
• The relationship between obesity and asthma is evident from childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the interplay between asthma and obesity using objective imaging methods.
• To assess the consistency of imaging techniques with anthropometric measures (BMI, Waist Circumference).
• To explore how fat distribution and composition relate to respiratory function in asthma.

Main Methods:

• Literature search of PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Scopus up to January 2024.
• Keywords: asthma, obesity, imaging techniques.
• Review of studies correlating anthropometric data and imaging findings with asthma parameters.

Main Results:

• Consistency between anthropometric methods and imaging techniques for obesity assessment in asthma is uncertain.
• Imaging methods precisely locate adipose tissue and distinguish fat from lean mass, correlating with airway parameters.
• Abdominal visceral fat is a key asthma predictor, particularly in pediatric populations; sex-based differences in lung function and obesity exist.

Conclusions:

• Imaging techniques provide more accurate and reproducible assessments of fat mass (visceral and subcutaneous) than anthropometric methods.
• These advanced methods enhance understanding of obesity's impact on lung function and asthma.
• Further research using imaging is crucial for personalized asthma management in obese individuals.