Obesity and asthma: very long-term effect of bariatric surgery on lung function and asthma control

Introduction: Weight loss by bariatric surgery in morbidly obese subjects with asthma has been shown effective to improve lung function and asthma control on the short term (up to 12 months)(1), but data about long-term effects are lacking. Objective: to determine the long-term effects of bariatric surgery on asthma control, lung function and BMI, eight years after bariatric surgery in a previously studied cohort(1). Methods: 78 study patients were invited to participate in the prospective, longitudinal follow-up study (BS+A: asthma subjects who underwent bariatric surgery, BS-A: obese patients without asthma who underwent bariatric surgery, NBS+A: obese patients with asthma who did not undergo bariatric surgery). The primary outcome was the change in asthma control (ACQ) over time. Results: Twenty-two subjects (6 NBS+A, 9 BS+A and 7 BS-A) were included. In both bariatric groups there was an increase in median BMI after 8 years, but this increase did not reach the baseline BMI by far. Asthma control in all groups remained stable during 8 years FU after surgery. Another important finding was that despite the increase in BMI, the improvement in small airway function (R5-R20) in BS+A and BS-A groups persisted after 8 years of FU. Conclusion: Sustained improvements in asthma control and the peripheral small airway function were found in asthma patients 8 years after bariatric surgery. This study emphasize the importance of weight loss by bariatric surgery in the treatment of obesity related asthma. 1.van Huisstede A, et al. Effect of bariatric surgery on asthma control, lung function and bronchial and systemic inflammation in morbidly obese subjects with asthma. Thorax.2015;70(7):659-67