PhD defence Roy Silverius Agnes Meys

Keywords: Asthma, Extrapulmonary features, Physical functioning, Pulmonary rehabilitation

"Extrapulmonary features of patients with asthma"

This thesis investigated features of asthma that extend beyond the lungs, including muscle function, body composition, functional capacity, and limitations in daily activities. Although asthma is commonly viewed as a respiratory disease, these extrapulmonary factors have a substantial impact on symptoms and quality of life. Several studies examined how these features can be assessed and how they relate to clinical outcomes. A simple walking test was found to be reliable, although repeated testing is needed for accurate evaluation. In addition, abnormalities in body composition, limitations in daily activities, and patient-reported outcomes were shown to be common and highly variable between patients. Commonly used questionnaires were not able to adequately predict asthma exacerbations. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of a broader, person-centered approach to asthma care, in which factors beyond lung function are considered to improve patient outcomes and guide more individualized treatment strategies.

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