Randomised trial, 2003
Does estradiol help asthma that worsens before the period?
This is one case of a woman with severe asthma who improved on estradiol, but the finding may only apply to severe asthma and more research is needed.
What they did
A 50-year-old woman with severe steroid-dependent asthma and monthly worsening before her period took either estradiol 2 mg or placebo for 6 days during the late luteal phase (days 23-28) for 2 successive menstrual cycles. Her asthma symptoms, lung function, and inflammation markers were measured.
What they found
During the estradiol cycle compared to placebo, she had better asthma symptoms, better lung function, better peak expiratory flows, lower prednisone use, and lower markers of airway inflammation (serum eosinophil protein X and urinary leukotriene E4).
What it means for you
This is a single case study, not a large research trial. It suggests estradiol might help women with severe asthma that worsens before their period, but the finding contradicts a larger study of women with mild asthma. Much larger studies are needed before estradiol can be recommended as a treatment.
1
Number of women studied
2
Consecutive cycles tested
14-year
History of severe asthma
About the study
- Original title
- Estradiol in severe asthma with premenstrual worsening
- Authors
- Ensom MH, Chong G, Beaudin B et al.
- Journal
- The Annals of pharmacotherapy
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Estradiol 2 mg for 6 days (days 23-28 of cycle) vs placebo
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1345/aph.1d090