Including criteria:
(a) Obesity must be P30 kg/m2.
(b) Diagnosis of asthma was considered if [11]:
– There were symptoms of dyspnea, cough and/or
wheezing, especially nocturnal with acute episodes
which were characterized by hyperinflation of the
thorax, decreased breath sounds and high pitched
wheezing.
– Symptoms were worse in the presence of exercise,
viral infections, inhaled allergens, irritants, changes
in weather, strong emotional expression, stress,
menstrual cycles.
– Reversible airflow obstruction: increase in FEV1
>12% of predicted after inhalation of
bronchodilator.
– Alternative diagnoses were excluded.
c-COPD could be diagnosed if [12]: there were chronic chest
symptoms especially cough, shortness of breath and sputum
production. FEV1/FVC ratio was