Survey study, 1997
How common is asthma worsening related to the menstrual cycle?
About 23 percent of female asthma patients in this study reported that their asthma got worse during their menstrual cycle, usually in the week before their period. This form of asthma was often more severe.
What they did
100 female asthma patients answered questions about whether their asthma worsened with their menstrual cycle. 10 of these women also kept daily records of their peak expiratory flow (lung function) for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles.
What they found
23 women reported worsening related to their cycle. Worsening was most common in the premenstrual week (17 women), and in 8 of these 17 it continued into the menstrual week. 14 women had worsening with almost every cycle. In the 10 women who kept flow records, morning and evening peak flow dropped significantly in the premenstrual and menstrual weeks compared to the midcycle week. Women with menstrual-linked asthma had longer illness duration and more severe disease with more emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
What it means for you
About one-quarter of female asthma patients in India had menstrual-linked asthma, which was often a more severe form. The study measured actual changes in lung function, not just patient perception. It was limited to one country and did not include a control group of women without menstrual-linked asthma.
100
female asthmatics surveyed
23
reported menstrual-linked asthma
10
maintained peak flow diaries
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual-linked asthma
- Authors
- Agarwal AK, Shah A
- Journal
- The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
- Year
- 1997
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 17
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/02770909709055398
Topics
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