The prevalence and evaluation of premenstrual asthma

The prevalence and evaluation of premenstrual asthma, comparing premenstrual symptoms with asthmatic and healthy women.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is described as a physical and psychological distress with important behavioral changes occuring in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Premenstrual asthma (PMA) within the same period, is a clinical situation leading to worsening of asthma symptoms and lung functions. Studies showed that the incidence of PMS, in women diagnosed with PMA, is significantly higher than the control group. The purpose of our study is to determine the prevalence of PMA in women with asthma and to compare the distribution and severity of the premenstrual symptoms of this patients with healthy women.
In our study between the ages of 18-49 years, 30 asthmatic women and 30 healthy women, as a control group were included. Patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire including questions about the relationship of asthma and the menstrual cycle. Asthma symptom scores and PEF [peak expiratory flow (peak expiratory flow rate)] levels of the patients were measured twice a day for 12 weeks. To evaluate PMS, a questionnaire was administered to both groups. İn premenstrual period, 33.3%of the patients define an increase in asthma symptoms whereas 26.6% of patients which is an increase in symptom score. During this period, only 16,6 % (5) of patients were diagnosed as PMA having 20% lower PEF levels in luteal phase than in follicular phase. There was no difference between healthy and asthmatic women about premenstrual symptoms. PMS severity of the patients whose asthmatic symptoms worsens in this period was significantly higher than patients whose asthma symptoms do not change. The patients with PMA were found to be having significantly higher depressive symptoms and water retention than other asthmatic patients.
As a result, this study showed the importance of questioning the asthmatic women about theır symptoms in premenstrual period and also it showed that patients, who are diagnosed as PMA, may need rearrengement of theır asthma therapy in this period. We believe that arge studies are needed, from which we can obtain more extensive results in order to diagnose and treat PMA.