Weight loss jabs could be key to controlling asthma in thousands of Brits, say scientists
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WEIGHT loss jabs could help control asthma symptoms in obese people, a study suggests - and it's not just about losing weight.
The drugs should be explored as a potential treatment for obese people with asthma, who are "often resistant" to steroids, researchers said.
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Asthmatic people who used weight loss jabs had less severe symptoms - even if they didn't lose much weight
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Weight-loss jabs, also known as glucagon-like peptide1 receptor-agonists (GLP1-RAs), work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels and dull hunger pangs.
They were initially developed as a treatment for people with type 2 diabetes - Ozempic is a key example.
Several types of the drug are recommended to help tackle obesity on the NHS, including Wegovy or Mounjaro.
Previous studies have suggested the drugs may slash the risk of illnesses like sleep apnoea, dementia and stroke.
Now, an international team of experts are exploring their potential impact on obese people with asthma.
Professor David Price, University of Aberdeen chair in primary care respiratory medicine, said: "People with obesity and asthma are unique in that they are often resistant to steroid treatments.
"We know that GLP1s work on inflammatory responses in the airways in a different way to traditionally used steroids."
People with a BMI of 30 or more have a much higher risk of having asthma than those with a lower BMI, according to the American Lung Association.
It said extra weight around the chest and abdomen can constrict the lungs and make it more difficult to breathe.
But research also suggests that fat tissue produces inflammatory substances that might affect the lungs and up the risk of asthma.
Early Warning Signs of an Asthma Attack
Having asthma can also increase the risk of obesity, as symptoms can make it harder to be physically active and long-term steroid use can increase hunger, NHS Cambridge University Hospitals Trust suggests.
For the new study, published in Advances in Therapy, researchers analysed the records of 10,111 people on GLP1-RAs and 50,555 people who were not on the drugs.
After a follow-up period, the team found that those taking weight-loss jabs lost more weight and had improved asthma control.
Researchers said the findings suggest medics "should pay attention to the relationship between GLP-1 RA and the risk of respiratory diseases".
Prof Price added: "We found compelling evidence that GLP1s, as well as increasing weight loss, also improved asthma symptoms.
"In addition, it is important to note that the benefits to asthma symptoms occurred despite fairly modest weight loss of around 0.9kg over the course of the year.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS?
NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them.
Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics.
Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription.
They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions.
The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need.
NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible.
The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor.
"Our findings suggest that GLP1s may have beneficial effects on asthma control for people with obesity and this should be explored further."
Prof Alan Kaplan, chairperson of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada and the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute, said: "Our findings suggest that GLP1-RAs have benefits on asthma control in people with obesity, and this information should contribute to the discussions around the decision to use these drugs."
Dr Erika Kennington, head of research and innovation at Asthma and Lung UK, said: "Research has previously shown that people living with obesity who lose weight see improved control of their asthma, so it's encouraging to see this study show this is still the case when the weight loss is driven by drugs, like the new class of weight loss drugs.
"Although exercise can help people lose weight, for some people it can cause anxiety about becoming breathless or having an asthma attack, so people are stuck in a vicious cycle of not being able to lose weight and their asthma worsening.
"Therefore, where exercise hasn't worked for someone these drugs that support weight loss could offer a promising alternative.
"It's too early to say whether these drugs would be effective for people with asthma more widely.
"More research is needed to understand how these drugs actually improve asthma control. Funding for lung health research is on life support and urgent action is needed to increase investment."
It's though that 7.2 million people in the UK have asthma, according to Asthma + Lung UK.
Meanwhile, 64 per cent of adults aged 18 and above in England were estimated to be overweight or living with obesity between 2023 and 2024.
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