Obesity and impaired muscle function in severe asthma: a cross sectional study

Ariele Pedroso; Joice M Oliveira; Vanessa L Clark; Rebecca F McLoughlin; Karina C Furlanetto; Peter G Gibson; Vanessa M McDonald

doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2026.108698

Obesity and impaired muscle function in severe asthma: a cross sectional study

Respir Med. 2026 Mar:253:108698. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2026.108698. Epub 2026 Feb 5.

Authors

Ariele Pedroso¹, Joice M Oliveira², Vanessa L Clark², Rebecca F McLoughlin², Karina C Furlanetto³, Peter G Gibson⁴, Vanessa M McDonald⁵

Affiliations

¹ Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Anhanguera Pitágoras Unopar University, Parana, Brazil; Laboratory of Research in Respiratory Physiotherapy (LFIP), Department of Physiotherapy, State University of Londrina, Parana, Brazil; Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia; Centre of Research Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
² Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia; Centre of Research Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
³ Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Anhanguera Pitágoras Unopar University, Parana, Brazil; Laboratory of Research in Respiratory Physiotherapy (LFIP), Department of Physiotherapy, State University of Londrina, Parana, Brazil.
⁴ Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia; Centre of Research Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia; College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
⁵ Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia; Centre of Research Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia; College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: vanessa.mcdonald@newcastle.edu.au.

PMID: 41651034
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2026.108698

Abstract

Aims: To compare physical, functional and inflammatory characteristics between adults with severe asthma and controls with and without obesity, and to evaluate factors associated with sarcopenia and muscle quality.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included four groups: adults with severe asthma and controls (without respiratory diseases), stratified by the presence or absence of obesity. Assessments included lung function, asthma outcomes, clinical variables, body composition, sarcopenia, muscle quality index (MQI), muscle function and strength, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and inflammatory markers.

Results: A total of 233 participants were included (140 with severe asthma, 93 controls). The group with obesity and severe asthma showed worse core function, limb strength, MQI and 6MWD, compared to the other groups (P < 0.0001 for all). No significant differences were observed in lean mass (P = 0.123) or in the prevalence of sarcopenia (P = 0.291) between groups. Inflammatory markers were elevated in asthma, regardless of obesity. A multiple linear regression model including age, sex, asthma, fat mass, lower limb strength and 6MWD explained 43.3% of the variability in appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMMI).

Conclusion: Obesity plays a key role in muscle dysfunction on core, upper, and lower limb muscle groups. This reinforces the need for integrated clinical approaches addressing both asthma and obesity.

Keywords: Asthma; Body composition; Obesity; Sarcopenia; Skeletal muscles.