RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Changes in body composition are associated with corticosteroid use in adult asthma
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P706
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 Bronwyn Berthon
A1 Lesley MacDonald-Wicks
A1 Peter Gibson
A1 Lisa Wood
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P706.abstract
AB IntroductionObesity and asthma have been strongly linked. Body fat distribution varies by gender and disease state. Corticosteroids, the mainstay of asthma pharmacotherapy, may be a risk factor for obesity. The impact of corticosteroids on regional body composition in asthma is unknown.Aims and objectivesTo explore relationships between inhaled and oral corticosteroid use, body composition and clinical asthma outcomes in adults with asthma.MethodsCross-sectional study of adults with stable asthma (n=42, age 52yrs ±14(SD), BMI 29.8 ±5.9(SD)), at the John Hunter Hospital Newcastle, Australia. Demographic details and corticosteroid dose over 2 years were collected; spirometry and airway responsiveness to hypertonic saline and body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (GE, Lunar) were measured.ResultsIn regression analyses controlled for age, gender and BMI, current inhaled corticosteroid dose was positively associated with total body % fat, gynoid region % fat and thoracic region % fat (p=0.021, p=0.009, p=0.050), and negatively associated with total body % lean, gynoid region lean tissue and thoracic lean tissue (p=0.029, p=0.036, p=0.050). Oral corticosteroid dose over 2 years was positively associated with gynoid region % fat (p=0.009) and negatively associated with gynoid region lean tissue (p=0.032).ConclusionsUse of corticosteroids in adults with asthma is associated with detrimental effects on body composition, including increased fat, decreased lean and regional tissue composition changes, which may contribute to adverse clinical outcomes. This suggests the need for targeted interventions to increase muscle and reduce fat mass in those on higher corticosteroid regimes.