A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CLINICAL FEATURES AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN PREGNANT AND NON PREGNANT FEMALE HAVING BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

Abstract

Background: Asthma is the most common potentially serious medical condition complicating 4-8% of the pregnancies. The goals of effective asthma management in pregnancy are to maintain the best possible asthma control and prevent exacerbations. Objectives: To compare difference in clinical features between pregnant and non-pregnant females having bronchial asthma. To study the treatment given in pregnant and nonpregnant females having bronchial asthma. To compare the treatment outcome between pregnant and non-pregnant females having bronchial asthma. Material and Methods: This Prospective cohort study included 35 pregnant and 35 non-pregnant females(total 70) diagnosed with bronchial asthma attending the OPD and indoor facility of Respiratory Medicine Department in tertiary care center ,over the period of 15 months. Results: Out of 70 females most common symptoms is dyspnea followed by Cough, Rhinitis, Fever and Chest tightness in non-pregnant and pregnant females and there was signicant statistical difference found between two groups(p=0.02). After giving treatment in 1st follow up symptoms were well controlled in 20 (57.14%)pregnant and 29(82.86%) non pregnant female and there was statistical difference between the two groups (p=0.018).After 2nd follow up, symptoms were well controlled in 20(57.15%)pregnant and 31(88.57%) non pregnant there was statistical difference in control of symptoms between the two groups(p=0.010). Conclusion: Management of asthma in pregnancy does not signicantly differ from management in non-pregnant. Inhaled Corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of treatment in both pregnant as well as non-pregnant females.