Plain language summary
Asthma is a common condition characterised by attacks of obstruction, chronic inflammation and hyper-responsiveness of the airways. Obesity increases severity of asthmatic symptoms through mechanical, anatomical and/or inflammatory mechanisms. 80 adults with asthma were randomly allocated to a weight reduction programme, including aerobic exercise and a calorie reduced diet, or control group with no intervention. After 3 months, body mass index (BMI) reduced significantly in the intervention group (from 31.7 to 27.9). This was associated with significant reductions in the pro-inflammatory markers TNF-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8, and significant increases in CD4 and CD8 cell counts (important immune cells). There were no changes in the control group in any of the parameters and the results were statistically significantly better in the intervention compared to the control group. The authors conclude that weight reduction improved immunological and inflammatory markers in obese asthma patients.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activation of immunological and systemic inflammation markers are common in obesity and asthma. OBJECTIVE The target of this study was to assess impact of weight reduction on immunological and systemic inflammation markers in obese asthma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty asthmatic patients of both sex; their age and body mass index (BMI) mean were 38.72 ± 7.14 year and 32.65 ± 3.18 Kg/m2 respectively. Exclusion criteria included smokers, infections, vaccinations, cancer, surgery, immune system disorders and medications that may influence immune system function as anti-inflammatory medications, analgesics and anti-depressant. All subjects were randomly enrolled in weight reduction group (group A) or control group (group B). RESULTS The main findings in the present study indicated that weight reducing program in group (A) was associated with significant reduction in the mean values of IL6, TNF-α, and IL8 in addition to significant increase in the mean values of CD4 and CD8 cell count . However, findings of group (B) showed no significant changes. Moreover, Comparison between both groups at the end of the study revealed significant differences. CONCLUSION Weight reduction improved immunological and systemic inflammation markers in obese asthma patients.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
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1
Allocation concealment
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Not applicable
