Asthma Is Common Among Women With Low Testosterone

Women with asthma have lower free testosterone levels than women who do not have asthma, according to a new study. The study also found other links to sex hormones and asthma in adults.

Although asthma affects women more than men, the role of sex hormones is unclear.

To conduct their study, the researchers analyzed data from 7615 adults aged 18 to 79 years who participated in the 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Serum levels of free testosterone and estradiol, and current asthma status were reviewed.

In the multivariable analysis of sex hormones and current asthma status, logistic regression was conducted separately in women (n = 3662) and men (n = 3953).

The analysis showed that women with free testosterone in the fourth quartile had lower odds of current asthma.

The researchers also found a link between obesity and sex hormones on current asthma status and, therefore, stratified the analysis by obesity.

The results of this analysis showed that elevated free testosterone and estradiol levels were associated with reduced odds of current asthma status in women with obesity. Furthermore, elevated serum estradiol was associated with lower odds of current asthma status in men without obesity.

“Our findings suggest that sex hormones play a role in known sex differences in asthma in adults,” the researchers concluded. “Moreover, our results suggest that obesity modifies the effects of sex hormones on asthma in adults.”

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Han YY, Forno E, Celedón JC. Sex steroid hormones and asthma in a nationwide study of U.S. adults [published online September 16, 2019]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201905-0996OC.