Aim: To determine if obese asthmatics represent a distinct clinical phenotype than non-obese and the level of asthma control in obese asthmatics.
Methods: The study was conducted in the pulmonary clinic of the Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Osijek University Hospital Centre during 201, on 201 outpatients with asthma, who came to a regular examination. Each patient underwent a clinical examination with an extensive anamnesis and lung auscultation. During the examinationIanninternally made questionnaire, spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), Asthma Control Test and Asthma Control Questionnaire were used to estimate the level of asthma control, wheread the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale was used to estimate the presence of mood disorderd.
Results: The severity of asthma was increased in obese patients. There was no significant difference in the number and frequency of hospitalizations in obese compared to non-obese asthmatics. Non-obese asthmatics had more frequent visits to their general practitioner/Emergency medical services (GP/EMS) during the last month compared to obese asthmatics, which is a new finding inconsistent to any study conducted before. Obese asthmatics had more symptoms and had them almost every day. Lung function of obese asthmatic was worse compared to non-obese, especially in women. Values of exhaled nitric oxide showed no significant difference for obese asthmatics. No significant difference in intake of corticosteroids or combination therapy was found. Obese patients with asthma had more frequent and multiple comorbidities.
Conclusion: Results confirmed that obese asthmatics represent a different phenotype of asthma, more severe and poorly controlled.