Effects of the menstrual cycle on lung function variables in women with asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Angiogenesis is a defining pathologic feature of airway remodeling and contributes to asthma severity. Women experience changes in asthma control over the menstrual cycle, a time when vessels routinely form and regress under the control of angiogenic factors. One vital function modulated over the menstrual cycle in healthy women is gas transfer, and this has been related to angiogenesis and cyclic expansion of the pulmonary vascular bed.

Objectives

We hypothesized that changes in gas transfer and the pulmonary vascular bed occur in women with asthma over the menstrual cycle and are associated with worsening airflow obstruction.

Methods

Twenty-three women, 13 with asthma and 10 healthy control subjects, were evaluated over the menstrual cycle with weekly meas

SUBMITTER: Farha S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2731807 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature