Severe asthma patients often battle multiple health conditions, study finds

Most people living with severe asthma are also living with other health conditions, a major new study has found.

Researchers analysed data from thousands of patients. They discovered the extra illnesses – which range from obesity to osteoporosis – tend to appear in clusters.

They say identifying patterns could be the key to unlocking more effective treatment for those hit hardest by the condition.

The study has now been published in Lancet Regional Health. It was led by researchers at the University of Southampton (UoS), University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

First detailed description

The study provides the first detailed description of how long-term health conditions are regularly found together in patients with severe asthma.

The researchers worked with the Severe Heterogeneous Asthma Research collaboration: Patient centred (SHARP). This is a European Respiratory Society Clinical Research Collaboration.

Professor Ramesh Kurukulaaratchy is the study lead author. He is Professor in Respiratory Medicine and Allergy at UoS and an Honorary Consultant at UHS. He is also part of the BRC’s Respiratory and Allergy theme.

He said the results showed nearly all asthma patients have at least one other major health issue. Most have three or more.

“The patterns we found were linked to how well asthma was controlled, how often attacks happened and the treatments needed,” he said.

“Better understanding these patterns will help us look beyond asthma alone and improve the care for people living with severe asthma.”

Professor Ramesh Kurukulaaratchy and Dr Anna Freeman

Understanding the links

The study analysed data taken from 2,700 patients across 11 European countries.

Asthma affects everyone differently. Yet the researchers identified three distinct profiles. These appeared consistently across the patient groups:

• High steroid use – patients reported high rates of osteoporosis and weight gain caused by steroid treatments

• Severe allergies – including from eczema alongside hay fever, or rhinitis

• Sinusitis – chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps

Dr Anna Freeman, Respiratory Consultant at UHS, is joint first author. She is part of the BRC’s Respiratory and Allergy theme.

“People with severe asthma often live with a heavy burden of other conditions. But, until now, we didn’t fully understand how they were linked,” she said.

“With our results, we can improve the quality of life for millions of people across Europe who currently struggle to keep their severe asthma under control.”