Non-randomised trial, 2008
Does montelukast help asthma that gets worse before the period?
Yes, in women whose asthma worsens premenstrually, montelukast improved airflow and reduced symptoms compared to placebo. In women whose asthma does not worsen with their cycle, montelukast made no difference.
What they did
Nonrandomized trial of 24 women with mild asthma followed for 3 menstrual cycles. Month 1: all used inhaled steroids only. Month 2: steroids plus placebo. Month 3: steroids plus montelukast. They measured peak airflow and asthma symptoms, and hormone levels (FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone) at baseline.
What they found
Among 11 women with premenstrual asthma worsening, montelukast significantly improved peak airflow variability and symptom scores compared to placebo. Among 13 women without premenstrual worsening, montelukast made no difference. Baseline FSH was higher in the premenstrual asthma group but hormone levels did not change with treatment.
What it means for you
Montelukast may help the specific group of women whose asthma worsens before their period, possibly by reducing inflammation. However, this is a very small study and not a randomized controlled trial. It does not provide specific numbers for how much symptoms improved or information about side effects. Findings need confirmation in larger studies.
24
Women with mild asthma
11
With premenstrual worsening
13
Without premenstrual worsening
About the study
- Original title
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists: a good choice in the treatment of premenstrual asthma?
- Authors
- Pasaoglu G, Mungan D, Abadoglu O et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 13
- What was tested
- Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/02770900701751799
Topics
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