Menopausal Women May Have An Increased Asthma Risk, From The Journal Of Allergy And Clinical Immunology

Menopause is associated with lower
lung function and more respiratory symptoms, especially among lean women,
according to a new study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
(JACI).

The study, “Lung function, respiratory symptoms, and the menopausal
transition,” can be found in the articles in press section of the JACI Web
site, jacionline. The JACI is the peer-reviewed journal of
the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

Francisco Gomez Real, MD, and colleagues studied a group of women aged
45-56 years who were not taking sex hormones. The women provided
information about their lung health and menstrual history and the ratio of
height to weight, body mass index (BMI).

The researchers found:

– Women who had stopped menstruating had significantly lower lung
function and more respiratory symptoms than women of the same age who
were menstruating regularly.

– Lean women (BMIs of less than 23 kg/m squared) showed a greater risk
for lung problems.

The authors speculate that lower lung function in menopausal women
could be explained by increased insulin resistance in menopause.
Furthermore, because insulin resistance is a proinflammatory condition,
this could also explain the increase in respiratory symptoms associated
with menopause.

Clinicians should be aware of increased asthma risk and lower lung
function in women, especially lean women, reaching menopause.

The AAAAI represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical
immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special
interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease.
Allergy/immunology specialists are pediatric or internal medicine
physicians who have elected an additional two years of training to become
specialized in the treatment of asthma, allergy and immunologic disease.
Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,500 members in the United
States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to
the public by providing educational information through its Web site at
aaaai.

AAAAI

aaaai