Association of hormone replacement therapy with bronchial hyper-responsiveness.
Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been linked to asthma in women, however, with inconsistent conclusions. This study examined the association of HRT with bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR). Eighty-five postmenopausal women completed a women-specific questionnaire and underwent methacholine challenge testing according to the protocol of the European community respiratory health survey. Associations of HRT use with BHR (based on a 20% fall in FEV1), mild BHR (10% fall in FEV1) or dichotomized dose-response slopes were analyzed by logistic regression, controlling for age, education, smoking and overweight. The 27 HRT users were less likely to show BHR compared to the 58 non-users (11% vs. 41%), multiply adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.12 (0.03, 0.55). Results for dose-response slopes were similar, while mild BHR showed no association with HRT use. These results point to a relaxing effect of estrogens on bronchial smooth muscle.
Mueller
Judith E
JE
Institute of Epidemiology, GSF-National Research Centre for Environment and Health, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, Postfach 1129, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
Frye
Christian
C
Brasche
Sabine
S
Heinrich
Joachim
J
D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis