The lung functions of children with obese asthma seem to be distinct from those of obese children or lean asthmatics. To measure baseline lung function, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in school-age obese asthmatics (OA group) and to compare the data with obese children (O group), lean asthmatics (A group), and healthy controls (H group). One hundred seventy school-age children were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. Baseline fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and baseline, post-exercise (post-E), and post-bronchodilation (post-BD) impulse oscillometry (IOS) and spirometry tests were performed. EIB and BHR were evaluated based on the difference (Δ) in post-E – baseline, and post-BD – baseline values. The mean FeNO level was higher in the OA group than in the other groups (p = 0.002). Baseline zR5 and R5-20 were higher (p = 0.013 and p = 0.044), but zFEF25-75 was lower (p  0.05). A higher airway inflammation (high FeNO), peripheral airway resistance (high zR5 and zR5-20) and a lower peripheral airway flow (low FEF25-75) were observed at baseline measurement in school-age obese asthmatics compared to lean asthmatics and obese children. Obese asthmatics had no EIB but exhibited a similar BHR to that of asthmatics.

Author