Discontinuation and Reduction of Asthma Medications After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Luyu Xie, Aravind Chandrasekhar, Stacia M. DeSantis, Jaime P. Almandoz, Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz, Sarah E. Messiah
- Asthma affects about 25 million Americans, and obesity makes it significantly worse. This review found bariatric surgery can improve asthma so much that many patients stop or reduce their asthma medications.
- The meta-analysis pooled results from multiple studies, the strongest form of medical evidence, finding consistent improvements in asthma control.
- Reducing or eliminating asthma medications after surgery represents both quality-of-life improvement and significant cost savings.
- Excess body fat produces inflammatory chemicals that worsen airway inflammation, and abdominal obesity physically restricts the lungs; bariatric surgery addresses both problems.
- Published in Obesity Reviews, one of the most respected journals in obesity research, representing the highest level of medical evidence.
- For patients with both obesity and asthma, this research shows bariatric surgery can address both conditions simultaneously.
This systematic review and meta-analysis published in Obesity Reviews synthesized existing evidence on discontinuation and reduction of asthma medications following metabolic and bariatric surgery. Asthma affects approximately 25 million Americans and is strongly associated with obesity, which worsens asthma through mechanical restriction of lung expansion, systemic inflammation, and altered immune function. Patients with obesity-related asthma often require higher medication doses and experience more frequent exacerbations. Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz is a co-author.
Xie L, Chandrasekhar A, DeSantis SM, Almandoz JP, de la Cruz-Muñoz N, Messiah SE. Discontinuation and reduction of asthma medications after metabolic and bariatric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews. 2023;24(2):e13527. doi:10.1111/obr.13527.
