Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Professor Michael Abramson, Monash University, Australia
- Second opponent: Associate Professor Gro Tjalvin, University of Bergen, Norway
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor Knut Stavem, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Professor Emeritus Ulf Erik Kongsgaard, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Professor II Johny Steinar Kongerud, University of Oslo
Summary
Asthma and obesity are both associated with adverse respiratory outcomes, but a possible interaction between the two conditions are less studied.
The aim of the thesis was to assess the occurrence of respiratory symptoms, lung function, work ability in subjects with asthma and obesity, and to study to which extent these outcomes are independently associated or if there are an interaction between asthma and increased body mass index (BMI). Further, in a follow up study to assess the association between respiratory burden and changes in BMI and occupational exposure to vapors, gas, dust and fumes.
The thesis is based on data from a general population study, the Telemark study, and used data from postal questionnaires, as well as data from a case-control study.
We observed that subjects with asthma and obesity had a higher symptom burden, used more medication, had poor asthma control and reduced lung function compared to subjects with normal weight and asthma.
Asthma was associated with reduced work ability and increased symptom score. Obesity was associated with increased symptom score, and reduced lung function. We found a possible interaction between asthma and overweight and prebronchodilator forced vital capacity.
In the follow-up part of the study, increased BMI and occupational exposure resulted in a higher respiratory burden.
In conclusion, both asthma and obesity are independently associated with several adverse respiratory outcomes, but a substantial interaction was not observed on respiratory symptoms, lung function or work ability.
Additional information
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