Hormone replacement therapy and development of new asthma

Chest. 2021 Jan 28:S0012-3692(21)00210-5. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.01.054. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Hormone replacement therapy is prescribed to millions of women worldwide. Previous studies have suggested that hormone replacement therapy has both protective and harmful effects in asthma.RESEARCH QUESTION: Is hormone replacement therapy in menopause associated with new development of asthma?STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We undertook a nested case-control study based on the Danish registers from June 1, 1995 to December 31, 2018. A diagnosis of asthma was defined as two redeemed prescriptions of inhaled corticosteroids within two years. Hormone replacement therapy was defined as two redeemed prescriptions of female sex hormones, within 6 months. Data were analysed using a conditional logistic regression model.RESULTS: We included 34 533 women with asthma vs. 345 116 women without asthma between 40 and 65 years of age. In a multivariable analysis adjusted for age, household income and educational level, active hormone replacement therapy resulted in a hazard ratio of 1.63 (95%CI 1.55 to 1.71, p<0.001) of new asthma development. Women with asthma who terminated hormone replacement therapy were likely to subsequently discontinue their asthma treatment (hazard ratio 2.12 95%CI 1.94 to 2.33, p<0.001).INTERPRETATION: Hormone replacement therapy seemingly plays a role in the development of asthma in mature women. Clinicians prescribing hormone replacement therapy ...
Source: Chest - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Source Type: research