Prevalence of Obesity and Over Weight in Adult Asthmatics in an Urban Population in India

Background The prevalence of asthma and obesity has increased along with other non communicable disease in the last decade. COPD and Asthma along with obesity are causing significant morbidity and mortality in our country as well as globally. Asthma in obesity is an independent phenotype. With several studies showing a negative impact of obesity on Asthma this has become an important area of research so that early intervention can reverse the metabolic as well as Asthmatic component of this phenotype. Material and methods A total of 180 adult diagnosed asthmatic patients were enrolled into the study at Bhaskar Medical College between 2017 and 2018. In this study we have selected adult asthmatic patients above 12 and below 70 years of age. These patients were known Asthmatics diagnosed and managed as per GINA guidelines since one year. We studied the BMI ( Body Mass Index) levels as per WHO guidelines and their distribution among normal over weight and obese groups, along with sex distribution. The control of Asthma was studied as per GINA guidelines among the three groups. Results A total of 180 patients were enrolled out of which 17.77 % were obese and 22.2 % were over weight. In both the groups female number was higher than males. The percentage of poorly controlled Asthmatics in the obese group was slightly higher 83.3 % than normal BMI group 79 %. Conclusion Obesity and Asthma phenotype is now an important area of research. Both are increasing in our country. Obesity has negative impact on Asthma and more common in females. The obese Asthmatics should be strongly advised about weight reduction which may help in control of their Asthma.