High prevalence of obesity in asthmatic patients on sick leave

Obesity and asthma are common chronic diseases in the industrialised world, The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible relationship between asthma and obesity among persons on sick leave due to respiratory disorder. The diagnosis of asthma (n = 237) was made in a three-stage model (questionnaire, telephone interview and clinical examination) in persons on sick leave due to any respiratory disorder. Persons on sick leave due to non-specific spinal pain, (n = 1231) and a general population sample (n = 5092) were used as references. Obesity (body mass index > 30 kg/m(2)) was found in 20.7% of the asthmatic patients on sick leave compared with 13.7% in the non-specific pain patients on sick leave and in 6.5% of the controls (P < 0.001). It is not clear whether the increased prevalence of obesity among asthmatics reflects a true increase in asthma in obese persons or whether asthma-like symptoms occur because of obesity. Weight reduction schemes and weight maintenance programmes should be important components in treatment and rehabilitation plans for persons with asthma. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.