Improved diet quality is associated with decreased concentrations of inflammatory markers in adults with uncontrolled asthma.

Background: Asthma has become one of the major public health challenges, and recent studies show promising clinical benefits of dietary interventions, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine whether changes in diet quality are associated with changes in inflammatory markers important in asthma pathophysiology.

Methods: In this exploratory study in patients with poorly controlled asthma participating in a randomized controlled trial of a DASH intervention study, changes in concentrations of a broad panel of serum proteins (51-plex Luminex assay, Affymetrix) were determined, and their relation to diet quality (DASH score) assessed by combining data of both intervention and usual-care control groups.

Acceptability and feasibility of the 'DASH for Asthma' intervention in a randomized controlled trial pilot study.

Objective: 'DASH for Asthma' (n 90) was a 6-month randomized controlled trial that demonstrated potential benefits of a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) behavioural intervention for improving diet quality and asthma control by comparing intervention to usual care in adults with uncontrolled asthma. The present study examined acceptability and feasibility of the intervention from the perspective of intervention participants and lifestyle coaches.

Design: Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, the 3-month intensive stage, including three individual and eight group sessions, focused on diet modifications and behavioural self-regulation.

Pilot randomised trial of a healthy eating behavioural intervention in uncontrolled asthma.

Rigorous research on the benefit of healthy eating patterns for asthma control is lacking.We randomised 90 adults with objectively confirmed uncontrolled asthma and a low-quality diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) scores <6 out of 9) to a 6-month DASH behavioural intervention (n=46) or usual-care control (n=44). Intention-to-treat analyses used repeated-measures mixed models.

Behavioral weight loss and physical activity intervention in obese adults with asthma. A randomized trial.

Rationale: The effect of weight loss on asthma in obese adults warrants rigorous investigation.

Objectives: To examine an evidence-based, practical, and comprehensive lifestyle intervention targeting modest weight loss and increased physical activity for asthma control.

Methods: The trial randomized 330 obese adults with uncontrolled asthma to receive usual care enhanced with a pedometer, a weight scale, information about existing weight management services at the participating clinics, and an asthma education DVD, or with these tools plus the 12-month intervention.

Abdominal and general adiposity and level of asthma control in adults with uncontrolled asthma.

Rationale: Abdominal adiposity may be an important risk factor for uncontrolled asthma in adults, controlling for general obesity. Whether the relationship, if present, is explained by other factors (e.g.

DASH for asthma: a pilot study of the DASH diet in not-well-controlled adult asthma.

This pilot study aims to provide effect size confidence intervals, clinical trial and intervention feasibility data, and procedural materials for a full-scale randomized controlled trial that will determine the efficacy of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) as adjunct therapy to standard care for adults with uncontrolled asthma. The DASH diet encompasses foods (e.g.

The Breathe Easier through Weight Loss Lifestyle (BE WELL) Intervention: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Obesity and asthma have reached epidemic proportions in the US. Their concurrent rise over the last 30 years suggests that they may be connected. Numerous observational studies support a temporally-correct, dose-response relationship between body mass index (BMI) and incident asthma.

Shared treatment decision making improves adherence and outcomes in poorly controlled asthma.

Rationale: Poor adherence to asthma controller medications results in poor treatment outcomes.

Objectives: To compare controller medication adherence and clinical outcomes in 612 adults with poorly controlled asthma randomized to one of two different treatment decision-making models or to usual care.

Methods: In shared decision making (SDM), nonphysician clinicians and patients negotiated a treatment regimen that accommodated patient goals and preferences.

Adherence to prescribed treatment for asthma: evidence from pharmacy benefits data.

Background: Failure to use asthma controller medications as prescribed is associated with more asthma-related adverse events. Medication utilization may vary with ease of drug administration, efficacy, and tolerability as well as other factors. We hypothesized that in usual-care clinical practice settings, there would be greater adherence to oral controller than to inhaled controller asthma medications.