Asthme et obésité, effets synergiques

Asthma and obesity are associated in epidemiological studies and both share a genetic susceptibility. Obesity is a risk factor for uncontrolled asthma because of many associated co-morbidities like obstrucive sleep apnoea, gastro-oesophageal reflux and bronchial hyperreactivity related to changes in ventilatory mechanics. Moreover, adipose tissue inflammation caused by obesity leads to eosinophil recruitment, their activation in the bronchial wall and an increase in bronchial hyperreactivity. Asthma may be pejorative for the evolution of obesity because of corticosteroid treatment and physical inactivity, but no evidence for this has yet been shown. Treatment of obesity by regular physical activity and weight loss, has been shown to improve asthma symptoms in many studies. This should encourage the use of dietetic measures and exercise in the management of asthma.