Relation of perimenstrual asthma with disease severity and other allergic co-morbidities—the first report of perimenstrual asthma prevalence in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Perimenstrual asthma (PMA) has been documented in 30–40% of asthmatic women; however, there have been few epidemiological investigations of PMA in practice. Objectives Determination of the prevalence of perimenstrual asthma in a sample of female Saudi asthmatic patients, and to study the relation of PMA to asthma severity, aspirin-induced asthma and to other allergic co-morbidities. Study design Data were analysed from all female asthmatic patients followed up in the unit from January 2008 to May 2009 who were not pregnant, not on oral contraceptive pills, not menopausal, nor had had a hysterectomy. They were asked about exacerbation of their asthma state regarding worsening of symptoms, need for more rescue medications and even visits to emergency room just before or in the first days of menstruation, or both. Moreover, relation with aspirin-induced asthma and other associated allergic co-morbidities recorded in their medical files with prevalence of PMA was reported. Results The prevalence was found to be 8.2%. Asthma severity was found to be significantly related to PMA (p<0.0001). Aspirin-induced asthma and allergic co-morbidities were more prone to occur in cases with PMA than other studied asthmatics. Conclusion We have found a low prevalence of PMA in Saudi women of fertile age compared to other studies published. Study findings support the hypothesis that PMA is related to asthma severity.