Roflumilast May Increase Risk of Exacerbations When Used to Treat Poorly Controlled Asthma in People with Obesity

This study found that roflumilast, an anti-inflammatory asthma and COPD medication, was related to increased risk of exacerbation in obese patients with poorly controlled asthma. This is important because patients with obesity often have severe, difficult to control asthma, and they may respond differently to medication compared to lean people with asthma, so treatments must be carefully customized. This study was performed by the Lung Association Airways Clinical Research Centers.