Influence of Obesity on Work Ability, Respiratory Symptoms, and Lung Function in Adults with Asthma

Details

• Personal Author:
  Fell AKM ; Henneberger, Paul K. ; Hertel JK ; Holla OL ; Klepaker G ; Kongerud J ; Svendsen MV
• Description:
  Background: Asthma is defined by variable respiratory symptoms and lung function, and may influence work ability. Similarly, obesity may contribute to respiratory symptoms, affect lung function, and reduce work ability. Thus, assessment of the influence of obesity on work ability, respiratory symptoms, and lung function in adults with asthma is needed. Objectives: We hypothesized that patients with obesity and asthma have more respiratory symptoms and reduced work ability and lung function compared with normal-weight patients with asthma. Methods: We examined 626 participants with physician-diagnosed asthma, aged 18-52 years, recruited from a cross-sectional general population study using a comprehensive questionnaire including work ability score, the asthma control test (ACT), height and weight, and spirometry with reversibility testing. Results: Participants with a body mass index (BMI) ≤ 30 kg/m2 (i.e., obese) had a higher symptom score (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.14-2.80), current use of asthma medication (1.60, 1.05-2.46), and incidence of ACT scores ≤ 19 (poor asthma control) (1.81, 1.03-3.18) than participants with BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m2 (i.e., normal weight). Post-bronchodilator forced vital capacity (FVC) as a percentage of predicted (ß coefficient -4.5) and pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s as a percentage of predicted (FEV1) (ß coefficient -4.6) were negatively associated with BMI >/=30 kg/m2. We found no statistically significant association of BMI >30 kg/m2 (compared to BMI <24.9 kg/m2) with sick leave (1.21, 0.75-1.70) or reduced work ability (1.23, 0.74-2.04). Conclusions: There were indications that patients with obesity had a higher symptom burden, poorer asthma control, higher consumption of asthma medication, and reduced lung function, in particular for FVC, compared with normal-weight patients. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aging Asthma Asthma, Occupational Lung Lung Diseases Men Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Women Workload Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Age Groups Author Keywords: Asthma BMI Body Mass Index Bronchial Asthma Humans Lung Function Obesity Pulmonary System Disorders Respiratory Symptoms Respiratory System Disorders Work Ability Work Capability Work Capacity Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  0025-7931
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  473-481
• Volume:
  98
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057175
• Citation:
  Respiration 2019 Dec; 98(6):473-481
• Contact Point Address:
  P.K. Henneberger, Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Respiration
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:84a96c768205552f400714f8377eedf1aafc8af274d784c992ccbfb1df48ad83100298e8a2592b8a7cc6a30f3aa9b06e7cb06a873c0f7785641c37b637fa518f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214604/cdc_214604_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 113.87 KB ]