CHEST Guidelines-A-1-Year-Weight-Management-Program-for-Difficult-t

A-1-Year-Weight-Management-Program-for-Difficult-t

Pdf Summary

This study explored the impact of a weight management program, the Counterweight-Plus Programme (CWP), on individuals with difficult-to-treat asthma and obesity. The research highlighted that obesity exacerbates asthma-related morbidity and mortality, warranting innovative management strategies. <br /><br />Participants enrolled were adults with asthma and a BMI above 30 kg/m², divided into two groups: those undergoing the CWP and those receiving usual care (UC). The CWP included a 12-week diet replacement phase, followed by food reintroduction and maintenance. The study's primary goals were to assess changes in asthma control and quality of life over one year, measured by the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-6) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ).<br /><br />The trial recruited 36 patients, with 29 completing the study. Results indicated that participants in the CWP group experienced significant weight loss—a median of 14 kg at 52 weeks—compared to the UC group, which showed a median weight change of 2 kg. Although the study found no significant difference between groups in terms of asthma control improvements (ACQ-6 scores), 71% of the CWP group attained clinically important improvements in quality of life (AQLQ scores), compared to only 6% in the UC group.<br /><br />Moreover, asthma exacerbation frequency reduced in the CWP group from a median of four episodes to zero over the study period. The research suggests that weight loss might enhance asthma-related quality of life, although no direct improvement in asthma control was statistically confirmed between the groups.<br /><br />The study concluded that the CWP could offer promising benefits in managing obesity alongside asthma, prompting a suggestion for larger future studies to explore these findings further. Non-pharmacological interventions like CWP might present viable alternatives for asthma patients who are overweight or obese, aiming for sustained weight management and improved asthma outcomes.

Keywords

Counterweight-Plus Programme

asthma

obesity

weight management

quality of life

asthma control

diet replacement

non-pharmacological interventions

asthma exacerbation

Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire