Obesity May Reduce The Effect Of Asthma Medications

Posted on June 6, 2009 in Latest News

A new study from National Jewish Health and University of Colorado in Denver, indicates that obesity reduces the effect of asthma medications. Previously, it was thought that obesity worsened the asthma, but this study shows that obesity affects the asthmatics by reducing the effect of asthma medications.

Inhaled corticosteroids are widely used to treat asthma patients.  Previous studies indicated that obesity increases the risk of developing asthma. The studies also indicated that obesity can increase the severity of asthma and make the asthma treatment difficult. In contrast to this, Dr. E. Rand Sutherland, lead author of this study feels that obese people may not respond properly to the normal asthma treatment. If doctors do not reassess the effect of asthma medications and make modifications, obese patients may be less effectively treated.

It is possible that obese patients may need high dosage of medications to manage their symptoms. If obese people do not respond well to the normal dosage, doctors may have to increase the dosage based on their body weight.

The Study:
In the study, the researchers analyzed about 1, 256 individuals with asthma and compared the effect of BMI on asthma.  They found out that BMI was not associated with severe forms of asthma. Obese patients had difficulty breathing, which can be misunderstood with asthma symptom.

When the researchers analyzed about 183 people, it was found that lean people treated with inhaled corticosteroids had 55% less exhalation of nitric oxide, which indicates less inflammation of airways. This study shows that obesity may reduce the effect of asthma medications, and not worsen the asthma itself.

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