PP087 - NUTRITIONAL STATUS, BODY COMPOSITION, AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

PP087

NUTRITIONAL STATUS, BODY COMPOSITION, AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

S. Sahoo^1,*, K. C. Jena²

¹Dietetics, Restora Healthcare, Chest & Diet Clinic, ²Pulmonary Medicines, Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, India

Rationale:  Nutritional evaluation is not routinely included in asthma care. This study aimed to assess nutritional status, dietary intake, body composition, and functional capacity in adults with bronchial asthma and explore their relationship with disease severity.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 420 clinically stable adult asthma patients (mean age 41.6 ± 12.3 years; 54% female) diagnosed using GINA criteria and categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry, Functional capacity was evaluated using the 6-minute walk test and handgrip strength. Nutritional assessment,Body composition parameters, including fat-free mass index , skeletal muscle mass, fat mass percentage were measured . 

Results: Mean FEV₁ was 68.4 ± 16.7% predicted, with 44% of participants classified as moderate-to-severe asthma. SGA classification showed 61% well nourished, 28% moderately malnourished, and 11% severely malnourished, with higher malnutrition prevalence in severe asthma (SGA B/C: 52%).  57% and 51% of patients had inadequate energy and protein intake,  Mean FFMI was 17.3 ± 2.3 kg/m², with 21% below sex-specific cut-offs; mean SMM was 22.8 ± 5.9 kg . Mean 6MWT distance was 412 ± 88 meters, with 33% walking <400 meters. Patients with SGA B/C had significantly lower walking distance compared with well-nourished patients (374 ± 79 m vs. 437 ± 84 m, p < 0.001). Reduced handgrip strength was observed in 26% and was significantly associated with low FFMI, poor SGA grade, and shorter 6MWT distance (p < 0.001). 

Conclusion: Nutritional risk, micronutrient deficiency, reduced muscle mass, and impaired functional capacity are common among adults with bronchial asthma and worsen with disease severity.  Integrating targeted nutritional strategies into asthma management may improve functional performance and potentially support better clinical outcomes.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared