Challenging the obesity paradox: extreme obesity and COPD mortality in the SUMMIT trial



Brigham, Emily P, Anderson, Julie A, Brook, Robert D, Calverley, Peter MA, Celli, Bartolome R, Cowans, Nicholas J, Crim, Courtney, Diserens, James E, Martinez, Fernando J, McCormack, Meredith C
et al (show 5 more authors) (2021) Challenging the obesity paradox: extreme obesity and COPD mortality in the SUMMIT trial. ERJ OPEN RESEARCH, 7 (3). pp. 902-2020.

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Abstract

Populations with COPD demonstrate higher survival in overweight and obese compared with normal weight; the "obesity paradox". Relationships in less-severe COPD are unclear, as is the impact of cardiovascular risk, and few studies include individuals at extremes of obesity.  We examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI; defined as underweight: <20 kg·m<sup>-2</sup>, normal: 20-25 kg·m<sup>-2</sup>, overweight: 25- <30 kg·m<sup>-2</sup>, obese class I: 30- <35 kg·m<sup>-2</sup>, class II: 35- <40 kg·m<sup>-2</sup> and class III: ≥40 kg·m<sup>-2</sup>), morbidity, and mortality in the SUMMIT trial population (n=16 485), characterised by moderate COPD and heightened cardiovascular risk with a substantial proportion with class III obesity. The association between BMI category and time to event was modelled <i>via</i> proportional hazards (reference normal weight) adjusted for demographics and cardiorespiratory disease.  Consistent with the paradox, underweight individuals demonstrated higher mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 1.31 (95% CI 1.04-1.64)), with lower mortality among overweight (HR 0.62 (95% CI 0.52-0.73)) and obese class I (HR 0.75 (95% CI 0.62-0.90)). However, mortality increased in obese class III (HR 1.36 (95% CI 1.00-1.86)). Death was primarily attributable to cardiovascular causes.  Within a large, multinational cohort with moderate COPD and increased cardiovascular risk, the phenomenon of reduced mortality with obesity did not persist at BMI >40 kg·m<sup>-2</sup>, suggesting that obesity may not remain protective at the extremes in this population.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Clinical Research, Prevention, Lung, Nutrition, Obesity, Cardiovascular, Cancer, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2022 12:55
Last Modified: 17 Mar 2024 12:30
DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00902-2020
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00902-2020
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3146819