• Varun Sharma, Helen Clare Ricketts, Louise McCombie, Naomi Brosnahan, Luisa Crawford, Lesley Slaughter, Anna Goodfellow, Femke Steffensen, Duncan S Buchan, Rekha Chaudhuri, LeanMichael E JMEJHuman Nutrition Unit, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland; Clinical Research Facility, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, School of Health and Life Sci, and Douglas C Cowan.
• Institute of Infection, Immunity and InflammationSchool of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland; Clinical Research Facility, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland. Electronic address: varun.sharma2@nhs.scot.
• Chest. 2023 May 1; 163 (5): 102610371026-1037.

BackgroundObesity is often associated with uncontrolled, difficult-to-treat asthma and increased morbidity and mortality. Previous studies suggest that weight loss may improve asthma outcomes, but with heterogenous asthma populations studied and unclear consensus on the optimal method of weight management. The Counterweight-Plus Programme (CWP) for weight management is an evidence-based, dietitian-led total diet replacement (TDR) program.Research QuestionCan use of the CWP compared with usual care (UC) improve asthma control and quality of life in patients with difficult-to-treat asthma and obesity?Study Design And MethodsWe conducted a 1:1 (CWP to UC) randomized, controlled single-center trial in adults with difficult-to-treat asthma and BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m2. The CWP was a 12-week TDR phase (800 kcal/d low-energy formula) followed by stepwise food reintroduction and weight loss maintenance for up to 1 year. The primary outcome was the change in Asthma Control Questionnaire 6 (ACQ6) score over 16 weeks. The secondary outcome was change in Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) score.ResultsThirty-five participants were randomized (36 screened) and 33 attended the 16-week follow-up (n = 17 in the CWP group, n = 16 in the UC group). Overall, mean ACQ6 score at baseline was 2.8 (95% CI, 2.4-3.1). Weight loss was greater in the CWP than UC group (mean difference, -12.1 kg; 95% CI, -16.9 to -7.4; P < .001). ACQ6 score improved more in the CWP than UC group (mean difference, -0.69; 95% CI, -1.37 to -0.01; P = .048). A larger proportion of participants achieved the minimal clinically important difference in ACQ6 score with CWP than with UC (53% vs 19%; P = .041; Number needed to treat, 3 [95% CI, 1.5-26.9]). AQLQ score improvement was greater in the CWP than UC group (mean difference, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.18-1.34; P = .013).InterpretationUsing a structured weight management program results in clinically important improvements in asthma control and quality of life over 16 weeks compared with UC in adults with difficult-to-treat asthma and obesity. This generalizable program is easy to deliver for this challenging phenotype. Longer-term outcomes continue to be studied.Trial RegistryClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03858608; URL: www.Clinicaltrialsgov.Crown Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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