Diaphragm Dysfunction Is Common in Asthma and Linked to Disease Severity, finds study

Key Findings

• Asthmatic patients had greatly reduced diaphragm TF levels than healthy controls (p < 0.0001).

• 62%–66% of right hemidiaphragm and 46%–54% of left hemidiaphragm cases had diaphragm dysfunction.

• Decreased diaphragm TF was associated with increased disease duration (p = 0.03) and increased rates of exacerbation (p = 0.04).

• There were no correlations between diaphragm TF and lung function, Th2 markers, anthropometry, or treatments for asthma.

• No correlation existed between SNIP test results and diaphragm TF.

• The cross-sectional design and small sample size of the study were listed as limitations.

The study authors concluded that diaphragm dysfunction is common in asthma and correlates with disease severity, including increased exacerbation frequency and longer disease duration. Identifying and addressing diaphragm impairment may improve symptom management and overall quality of life in asthma patients.

Reference:

Portacci, A., Iorillo, I., Quaranta, V. N., Amendolara, M., Sana, F., Pezzuto, V., Ferrulli, S., Dragonieri, S., & Carpagnano, G. E. (2025). Diaphragm function in patients with asthma and healthy controls: a cross-sectional study. Respiratory Medicine, 108008, 108008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2025.108008