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Review
. 2021 Nov;9(11):3887-3897.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.08.027. Epub 2021 Sep 4.

Nonrespiratory Comorbidities in Asthma

Juan Carlos Cardet  1 , Adeeb A Bulkhi  2 , Richard F Lockey  3
Affiliations
Review

Nonrespiratory Comorbidities in Asthma

Juan Carlos Cardet et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic heterogeneous airway disease. Common comorbid conditions are often disproportionately present in severe asthma. Optimal care of patients with asthma requires the recognition and treatment of these comorbid conditions. This review outlines the pathophysiological mechanisms between nonrespiratory comorbid conditions and asthma and their effect on asthma outcomes. They include: type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, adrenal and thyroid gland diseases, pregnancy, osteoporosis, adverse effects from medications, and mental health disorders. Studies indicate how poor glycemic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with not only greater health care utilization but poorer asthma outcomes. Also, a large health care claims database indicates that a substantial proportion of pregnant women have uncontrolled asthma and are prescribed suboptimal controller therapy. Additional data about these nonrespiratory comorbidities and medications known to benefit both nonrespiratory comorbidities and asthma are necessary.

Keywords: Adrenal disease; Adverse effects from medications; Airway hyperresponsiveness; Asthma; Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; Insulin resistance; Mental health disorders; Osteoporosis; Pregnancy; Thyroid disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

COI:

JCC reports receiving honoraria from Astra Zeneca and Genentech for work in advisory committees. AAB reports receiving honoraria from GSK and Sanofi for work in advisory committees. RFL does not have any conflicts of interest to report.

Comment in

  • Asthma and Comorbid Conditions.
    Fuhlbrigge A, Lockey RF. Fuhlbrigge A, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Nov;9(11):3909-3910. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.09.007. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021. PMID: 34749944 No abstract available.

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