Fat jabs could slash risk of killer asthma attacks up to 40%, study suggests

WEIGHT loss jabs could slash the risk of asthmatics suffering an attack by up to 40 per cent, research suggests. Semaglutide – the powerful ingredient behind Wegovy and Ozempic – has long been hailed a monumental breakthrough in the war on obesity. British scientists discovered that people with airways diseases like asthma and COPD who were prescribed GLP-1s had fewer attacks Credit: Getty Yet, mounting evidence has emerged in recent years to suggest the drugs, known as GLP-1s, could prove to be lifesaving for a range of other conditions including heart disease and even alcohol addiction. Now, in a major study, British scientists discovered that people with airways diseases like asthma and COPD who were prescribed GLP-1s had fewer asthma attacks and COPD flare ups than those given other diabetes medicines. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties like chronic bronchitis. People with “more pronounced” asthma appeared to benefit more from the jabs, researchers also found. Professor Chloe Bloom, clinical associate professor in respiratory epidemiology at Imperial College London and study author, said: “Previous research suggests that they may have anti-inflammatory effects and may improve lung-related outcomes, however, asthma and COPD outcomes have not been included as outcomes in GLP-1 drug trials. “We wanted to use real-world health records to investigate whether people with asthma or COPD who started GLP-1 receptor agonists had fewer acute respiratory attacks.” The study, presented to the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona, Spain, examined whether a number of treatments were linked to a reduction in exacerbations. Experts examined UK medical records of tens of thousands of people who started GLP-1s. Most read in Health Prof Bloom said: “The effect was strongest with semaglutide especially in people with asthma, where use of semaglutide appears to be associated with nearly 40 per cent reduction in asthma attacks. “Semaglutide also led to a 20 per cent reduction in COPD flare-ups.” She added: “The findings from this study are encouraging, but they should not change treatment decisions on their own. “People with asthma or COPD should not start GLP-1s specifically for their lung condition outside current prescribing guidance. “While the findings suggest that some people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists may experience fewer respiratory attacks, this needs confirmation in clinical trials.” Commenting on the study, Dr Alexander Mathioudakis, chairman of the European Respiratory Society’s Group on Airway Pharmacology and Treatment, said: “This is one of the largest real-world studies to investigate GLP-1s and airways disease, and one of the first to examine whether effects differ between individual GLP-1s. What are the symtoms of asthma? Most children and adults with asthma have times when their breathing becomes more difficult. Some people with severe asthma may have breathing problems most of the time. The most common symptoms of asthma are: wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing) breathlessness a tight chest – it may feel like a band is tightening around it coughing Many things can cause these symptoms, but they’re more likely to be asthma if they: happen often and keep coming back are worse at night and early in the morning seem to happen in response to an asthma trigger like exercise or an allergy (such as to pollen or animals) See a GP if you think you or your child may have asthma, or you have asthma and are finding it hard to control. Source: The NHS “It highlights the need to consider metabolic health as part of respiratory care. “It also supports the case for including respiratory outcomes, such as asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations, in future trials of metabolic therapies.” Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and innovation at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “This promising study indicates that people already taking semaglutide for diabetes or obesity experience a significant reduction in asthma attacks and COPD flare ups. “The positive effects of semaglutide were significant for patients with asthma and COPD compared with other GLP-1s but stronger in asthma. “These exciting findings build on research funded by Asthma + Lung UK, using existing health data to improve our understanding of lung health treatments. “For people with asthma living with conditions like diabetes or obesity, this is a promising step forward in helping to treat their lung health. “Cutting edge research like this is vital to improve the health and lives of people with lung conditions but funding for lung health research is on life support. “While lung conditions remain the third biggest cause of death in the UK, we need urgent action to boost research investment and improve health outcomes.” An estimated 5.4million people in the UK have asthma – about one in every 12. Up to five per cent have it severely, which can result in breathlessness, chest tightness and a cough, as well as repeated asthma attacks which require frequent hospitalisation. Many treat their condition with high-dose steroid inhalers – anti-inflammatory sprays or powders that you breathe in. Comment now