Asthma in obesity: a new entity?
Symposium Chairs: P. J. F. M. Merkus (Rotterdam, The Netherlands), P. Godard (Montpellier, France)
Aims: This symposium will:
• review the epidemiology and the evidence suggesting that there is a causal relationship between obesity and asthma;
• review the alterations in lung and airway mechanics in obesity and asthma, and how this can be modified by interventions;
• review the evidence that obesity may affect the immunology of allergic asthma;
• discuss whether obesity is a risk factor for severe asthma. Target audience: (Paediatric) pulmonologists, chest physicians, physiologists, general physicians, epidemiologists.