Bobette Matulonga

While it is acknowledged that asthma incidence increases after puberty in women, it is unknown whether asthma incidence may change after menopause Aim: To investigate the relationships between menopause and asthma incidence Methods: We studied asthma-onset in 68,575 women free of asthma at baseline (mean age 51.2 yrs) and followed-up for 10.4 yrs as part of E3N. Proportional hazard models with menopausal status included as a time-dependent variable were used. Analysis was stratified by use of menopause hormone therapy (MHT) reported at the end of follow-up Results: Asthma-onset was positively associated with younger age, smoking, obesity, increase in BMI over the follow-up and use of MHT. Crude asthma incidence rates are provided in Table. The incidence of asthma was higher after natural menopause as compared to before menopause in MHT ever users (aHR=1.26 95%CI 1.01-1.56), but not in MHT non-users (adjusted HR=1.00 95%CI 0.72-1.40). Women with surgical menopause had a higher risk of asthma onset as compared to women with natural menopause in both MHT never-users (aHR=1.35 95% CI 0.95-1.93; p=0.09) and MHT-users (aHR=1.41 95%CI 1.11-1.79). Conclusion: Menopause transition is not associated with changes in asthma incidence in women with natural menopause not using hormonal treatment. A surgical menopause could increase the risk of asthma onset. | | | MHT never users | | MHT ever users | || | | Event | PY | Incidence (95% CI) | Event | PY | Incidence (95% CI) | | before menopause | 118 | 82677 | 1.43 (1.17-1.69) | 131 | 102246 | 1.28 (1.06-1.50) | | after natural menopause | 169 | 132644 | 1.27 (1.08-1.46) | 473 | 323035 | 1.46 (1.33-1.59) | | after surgical menopause | 42 | 23859 | 1.76 (1.23-2.29) | 82 | 38585 | 2.13 (1.67-2.59) | Crude incidence rates of asthma according to menopause

Background Sleep duration has declined in adolescents over the last 30 years and screen use has been identified as a risk factor. Studies have examined the duration of screen use and screen-based activities but have not differentiated between evening and night-time use. Methods Cross sectional questionnaire survey of adolescents recruited in schools. Sleep habits on school nights and weekends, symptoms of insomnia and daytime repercussions were recorded using an online questionnaire administered in the classroom setting. Sleep deprivation (<7 hours in bed /night), school night sleep restriction (≥2 hours difference in sleep duration on school nights vs weekends), excessive sleepiness (score >6 on a visual analogue scale), duration of screen use and timing of screen use (evening vs after bedtime) were determined. Results 2513 students (53.4% female, median age 15 years) were included. 20% were sleep deprived and 41% sleep restricted. A clear dose effect relationship in a model ...

Menopause is associated with changes in sex hormones, which affect immunity, inflammation, and osteoporosis and may impair lung function. Lung function decline has not previously been investigated in relation to menopause. To study whether lung function decline, assessed by forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second, is accelerated in women who undergo menopause. The population-based longitudinal European Community Respiratory Health Survey provided serum samples, spirometry and questionnaire data about respiratory and reproductive health from three study waves (N=1438). We measured follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone and added information on menstrual patterns, to determine menopausal status using latent class analysis. Associations with lung function decline were investigated using linear mixed effects models, adjusting for age, height, weight, packyears, current smoking, age at completed full-time education, spirometer and including study ce...

Bleach is widely used for household cleaning. Although it is recognized that occupational use of bleach may have adverse respiratory health effects, it is unknown whether common domestic use of bleach may be a risk factor for asthma. To assess whether the domestic use of bleach for home cleaning is associated with asthma and other respiratory outcomes. Questionnaire-based information on respiratory symptoms and cleaning habits and data from skin prick-tests, bronchial responsiveness challenge and white blood cells were analyzed in 607 women participating in the follow-up of the Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA). Bleach use was evaluated in 3 categories (<1 day/week; 1-3 days/week; 4-7 days/week "frequent"). Overall, 37% of the women reported using bleach weekly. Women using bleach frequently (11%) were more likely to have current asthma as compared to non-users (adjusted Odds-Ratio (aOR) = 1.7; 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) 1.0-3.0...