Late-breaking abstract: Asthma risk increases when women become menopausal: A Northern European longitudinal survey

Background There is inconsistent evidence of the associations between menopause and poor respiratory health. We aimed to investigate asthma risk according to change in menopausal status. Methods From 1999 to 2012, a longitudinal survey of respiratory and women's health was conducted in a population-based sample of women (n=4569, response rate=67%) as part of the Respiratory Health In Northern Europe study (RHINE). We included women aged 45-66 years not currently using exogenous hormones (n=3263). Menopause was defined as cessation of menstruation for at least six months; asthma as use of asthma medication or asthma attacks in the last year, symptoms as having ≥3 respiratory symptoms the last year. Changes in menopausal status over 10 years were defined based on change of menstrual pattern (non-menopausal, transitional or menopausal). Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for age, smoking, BMI, physical activity and education. Results Compared to women with regular menstruation at both time points, women changing from non-menopausal / transitional status to menopausal status had higher risk of asthma (OR 2.57 95% CI 1.32–4.98/ 1.83 [1.05–3.17]), respectively and of asthma symptoms (1.85 [1.07–3.19]). Associations were consistent among smokers and never smokers. Conclusion Women who over a ten-year period became menopausal had significantly increased risk of asthma. Menopause has an impact on asthma and respiratory symptoms.