Hormonal contraceptives and asthma in women of reproductive age: analysis of data from serial national Scottish Health Surveys.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Sex steroid hormones may explain known gender-related variations in asthma prevalence and clinical manifestation. We investigated the relationship between use of hormonal contraceptives and asthma in women, and assessed evidence of biological interaction between use of hormonal contraceptives and body mass index in this relationship.

Design

Population-based analysis using data from serial (i.e. 2003, 2008 and 2010) Scottish Health Surveys.

Setting

Random samples of the Scottish general population.

Participants

A total of 3257 non-pregnant, 16-45-year-old women.

Exposure

Current use of hormonal contraceptives.

Main outcome measures

Self-reported current physician-diagnosed asthma, current wheezing symptoms, wheezing attacks and treatment

SUBMITTER: Nwaru BI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4582260 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature