Recent Research on BMI and Lung Function Decline in Asthma Patients
Recent research published in Respiratory Medicine highlights the significant role of baseline body mass index (BMI) in predicting the long-term decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) among individuals with asthma. The study underscores BMI as an independent factor associated with accelerated lung function decline.
Study Overview
A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted involving 200 asthma patients from a tertiary care university hospital's outpatient clinic, monitored over a decade from March 2007 to January 2024. Participants underwent evaluations at baseline, 2, 5, and 10 years, including assessments of anthropometric measurements, clinical parameters, and functional respiratory tests.
Participant Demographics and Lung Function Trends
The average age of participants was approximately 41 years, with a predominance of females (73.5%) and a mean BMI of 27.56 kg/m². Over the follow-up period, the cohort experienced an average FEV1 reduction of 12.74 mL at 2 years, 46.49 mL at 5 years, and 31.92 mL at 10 years.