Obstructive sleep apnea if remains untreated can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, diminished performance and overall poor quality of life. Factors that increase vulnerability of sleep apnea include age, male sex, obesity, family history, craniofacial abnormalities and certain health behaviors such as alcohol abuse and smoking. Previously diagnosed cases of COPD and bronchial asthma (as per guidelines) having symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea were also included in this study. This present study was planned to study assessing of severity of sleep apnea in obstructive airway diseases patients.The present study was conducted in sleep laboratory of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine of a tertiary care hospital that caters to population of diverse groups. Patients after clinical examination and spirometry with post bronchodilator reversibility were categorized into bronchial asthma and COPD. Subsequently, polysomnography was done of these patients to study the sleep pattern. Amongst patients with COPD, 11 (16.42%) had mild COPD, 26 (38.80%) had moderate COPD, 22 (32.84%) had severe COPD and 08 (11.94%) patients had very severe COPD. 38.71% and 29.03% that is 12 and 09 out of 31 patients had moderate and severe asthma respectively. Again 19.36% and 12.90% that is 06 and 04 patients had mild persistent and intermittent asthma respectively. 17(25.37%) patients of COPD were found to have obstructive sleep apnea and 09 (29.03%) patients of asthma had obstructive sleep apnea. In patients with overlap syndrome had more severe hypercapnia (mean PaCO 48.88 ±0.017), and nocturnal desaturation (mean 85.35% ±0.022) Patients having moderate COPD had severe OSA. Patients having severe asthma had severe OSA with correlation coefficient R = -0.527 with p value <0.001 meaning negative linear correlation between AHI and % FEV1 of predicted of asthma patients.

As the prevalence of both obesity and severity of asthma are in increasing trend, we study association between body mass index (BMI) and asthma severity in cross sectional study. OBJECTIVE: To study association between Body mass index and Asthma severity METHODOLOGYWe included adults (age >13yrs), who are diagnosed as patients of asthma by Pulmonologist and who are non -smoker, without any other lung pathology, are not on long term systemic steroids. Total of 132 patients, divided into fallowing BMI categories: Underweight (BMI<18.5), Normal weight (BMI 18.5-25), Over weight and obese (BMI>25). Asthma severity measured using GINA severity classification. Data is collected and tabulated. RESULTS: 1) Comparing %FEV1of expected value of underweight (mean% FEV1of expected-70.57+/-13.78), and overweight and obese (mean% FEV1of expected-60.125+/-17.28) with normal weight (mean % FEV1 of expected-74.19+/-15.08); we find over weight and obese have significantly low %FEV1of expected (Z=3.97; P<0.001). 2) Scatter graph of % FEV1 of expected values against BMI indicate significant negative correlation(r= -0.249; p<0.01).3) By applying chi-square test, there is significant association between overweight and obese with moderate to severe asthma(x2=14.01; p<0.001); also attributable risk (AR) found to be 49.01%. CONCLUSION: In asthmatic patient there is negative correlation between %FEV1of expected and BMI; Severity of asthma is more in over weight and obese patient; and obesity will be modifiable risk factor for severity of asthma. KEYWORDS: Body Mass Index, FEV1 (Forced Vital Capacity in first second)INTRODUCTION: Asthma is one of the most common non communicable diseases in human societies. This disease is reported to have an incidence of 5-10% in different societies. There are various genetic and environmental risk factors, the most important of which is a family history of Atopy. Other risk factors include high and low birth weights, premature birth, smoking mothers, salty food and obesity. (1) Both asthma and obesity are chronic diseases with different features, exposing the individual to various social, economic, cultural and medical problems. Many risk factors have been identified for asthma attacks, and the relationship between changes in weight, especially obesity, and asthma has been proposed in view of the fact that there is an established relationship between BMI and decreased FEV1. Considering the ever-growing obesity even among youths and children, resulting from limited physical activity associated with industrial life and consumption of high-calorie food. However, it is not known which causes which, since changes in the respiratory physiology associated with obesity and reduced FVC are known to increase asthma, and, on the other hand, problems associated with asthma and increased asthma attacks during physical activity lead to limited activity in these patients, and hence their obesity.