1 - Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Unidade Local de Saúde de São José;
2 - Centro Clínico Académico de Lisboa;
3 - Serviço de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo, Unidade Local de Saúde de São José;
4 - Comprehensive Health Research Center(CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
- Póster em Reunião Internacional: World Allergy Congress 2024, Lisboa setembro de 2024.
Resumo:
Introduction: The global prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached alarming proportions, with nearly one-third of the world's population now classified as overweight or obese. An elevated body mass index (BMI) is a common comorbidity in people with asthma and is considered an independent risk factor for more difficult asthma management. While extensively studied in adults, the impact of overweight on adolescent asthmatics remains less elucidated.
Material and methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study at an Allergy and Immunology department in a tertiary hospital. All patients over 12 years diagnosed with asthma were included. Data collection included a standardized questionnaire, lung function tests, and an analysis of the clinical record. Assessment criteria encompassed the Asthma Control Test (ACT), asthma severity as per GINA 2023, the risk of sleep-related breathing disorders using the Berlin Questionnaire for adult patients, and the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire for adolescents. High blood pressure (HBP), diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were considered based on personal medical history. Patients were stratified by age into adolescents (12-17 years) (n=98) and adults (n=213) and categorized by weight status as normal or elevated BMI (BMI ≥ 85th percentile for pediatric patients and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² for adult patients). Appropriate statistical tests were used for the comparative analysis.
Results: A total of 27.6% (n=27) of adolescent patients and 48.4% (n=103) of adult patients were classified as having an elevated BMI. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of obstructive sleep apnea risk, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia for both the adolescent and adult cohorts. Additionally, significant differences were noted in age and asthma control within the adult cohort. The study results are presented in table 1.
Conclusions: In our sample, elevated BMI was associated with poor asthma control in adults. However, the presence of other comorbidities, such as obstructive sleep apnea, HBP and dyslipidemia was evident in both pediatric and adult groups, highlighting that the impact of being overweight on health may begin earlier, even if its effect on asthma control remains less apparent at this stage. Despite the lack of direct noticeable effects on asthma outcomes, these findings emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing the wider health implications of being overweight at an earlier age.
Palavras Chave: asma, obesidade, controlo da asma, IMC