Objectives: As chronic diseases, asthma and obesity are characterized by local tissue inflammation, but also with chronic systemic inflammation. The mechanisms underlying this association have not been completely elucidated. The role of atopy is debated.

Aim: We evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI), and parameters of atopy, eosinophilia, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and skin prick test (SPT) sensitization in children with asthma, with normal and increased BMI.

Material and methods: The total number of patients included in the study was 112 with the age range 7 - 17 years. Thirty eight had asthma and a normal BMI, 33 had asthma and were overweight, and 41 were overweight. Eosinophilia and total serum IgE were investigated, and the patients underwent SPT with standard inhalant allergen extracts to determine atopic senzitisation. The data was processed in Statistics for Windows 7.0 and SPSS 22.0.

Results: There was a significant increase in eosinophilia, total IgE, and positive SPT in the asthmatic groups, with normal and increased BMI, compared to the overweight group (p<0,0001 for the three parameters). According to the analysis of data on the comparison of normal-BMI patients with asthma versus overweight/obese patients with asthma, there was no significant difference in the values of eosinophilia (5,1±2,8 % vs. 5,8±3,6 %), total IgE values (388,7±412,7 IU/ml vs. 401.4±546,9 IU/ml) and SPT (89,5 vs. 78,8%). 

Conclusion: No influence of atopy in the association between asthma and obesity was verified. Further analyses of specific inflammatory markers, for evaluation of the mechanisms leading to association of obesity and asthma, as chronic diseases are warranted.