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

Background: Perimenstrual asthma (PMA) has been documented in 30% to 40% of asthmatic women; however, there have been few epidemiological investigations of PMA in practice.

Objectives: In this study, we analyzed PMA prevalence and relation to disease severity based on direct questions carried out in Taif-KSA and compared the results with those of studies reported previously.

Results: The prevalence of PMA and its' relation to asthma severity and to other allergic co-morbidities were studied. Prevalence was 8.2% and asthma severity was found to be significantly related to PMA (p<0.0001). Allergic co-morbidities were more prone to occur in cases with PMA than other studied asthmatics except for allergic rhinitis in moderate asthmatics (odd ratios 0.71, 95 % Confidence interval 0.47-134.5, p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Findings support the hypothesis that PMA is related to asthma severity.