Weight Loss Is Associated with Improved Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Asthma Control

In a Canadian study, 22 adult obese asthma patients were followed for 3 months to examine the effect of weight loss on airway hyperresponsiveness. The intervention group was 16 patients who were enrolled in a 12-month behavioral weight-loss program, whereas 6 patients awaiting bariatric surgery served as controls. All patients had asthma (diagnosed by methacholine challenge) and body-mass index >32.5 kg/m². The intervention group received liquid meal replacements and behavioral and exercise counseling.

During the study, the intervention group lost a mean 16.5 kg, whereas the control group gained 0.6 kg. The intervention group's PC₂₀ (provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁]) …