Benefits of weight loss in obese patients with asthma: mechanical or immunological mechanisms?

ISRCTN ISRCTN54432221
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN54432221
Secondary identifying numbers 04/048
Submission date
12/09/2005
Registration date
02/12/2005
Last edited
21/03/2012
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Respiratory
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr John Wilding
Scientific

Clinical Sciences Centre
University Hospital Aintree
Liverpool
L9 7AL
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typeTreatment
Scientific title
Study objectivesEpidemiological studies suggest higher prevalence in obese subjects. Weight loss improves many features of asthma. Whilst lung function will improve with weight loss as a result of mechanical work, it is difficult to explain improvements in bronchial hyper-reactivity and airway inflammation purely on a mechanical basis. Obesity is associated with a state of immune activation that could amplify the process of autoimmunity.

We hypothesize that immunological mechanisms partly account for the relationship between obesity and asthma. More specifically, we propose that increased concentrations of the adipokines leptin and tumour necrosis factor alpha and reduced concentrations of adiponectin in obese subjects are promoters of inflammation in asthma, and that improvements in asthma with weight loss are related to changes in the systemic and local (within the bronchial tree) concentrations of these factors as well as a reduction in mechanical work.
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAsthma and obesity
InterventionDietary intervention: Meal replacement therapy for six months plus dietition advice and support for intervention group versus healthy eating leaflet for control group

Exhaled nitric oxide measurements.
Methacholine challenge testing - tidal breathing method.
Airway resistance with plethysmography.
Induced sputum plus sputum cell counts and supernatent inflammatory markers.
Blood inflammatory markers.
Height, weight and bioimpedence.
SGRQ, SF36, IQWOL-LITE questionnaires.
Peak flow and symptom diary monitoring.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureExpected weight loss in the intensive group of 10 to 12 kg (10 - 20% body weight), compared to minimal weight loss in the conventional group. This should result in significant improvements in pulmonary function i.e. reduced bronchoconstriction, reduced peak flow variability and reduced bronchial hyper-reactivity.
Secondary outcome measures1. Reduction in systemic inflammation in the intensively treated group
2. Reduction in markers of local airway inflammation in the intensively treated group
3. Improvement in health status of intensively treated group
Overall study start date01/01/2005
Completion date01/01/2007

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants80
Key inclusion criteria1. Obesity (body mass index more than 30 kg/m^2
2. Age 18 to 65 years
3. Asthma requiring treatment with at least a long-acting inhaled corticosteroid and an inhaled beta agonist
Key exclusion criteria1. Subjects on long-term oral corticosteroids
2. Diabetes mellitus
3. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
4. History of major eating disorder
5. History of food allergy to any component of Slimfast
6. Major psychiatric disease
7. Current smokers
8. Uncontrolled thyroid disease
9. History of severe cardiac, hepatic or renal disease, malignancy, or any other condition that might, in the opinion of the investigators preclude completion of the study
Date of first enrolment01/01/2005
Date of final enrolment01/01/2007

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Clinical Sciences Centre
Liverpool
L9 7AL
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Liverpool (UK)
University/education

Liverpool
L69 3BX
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04xs57h96

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Asthma UK (Project ID 04/048).
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Alternative name(s)
Asthma UK, Asthma + Lung UK
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/03/2012 Yes No