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Am J Perinatol 2024; 41(S 01): e2089-e2097
DOI: 10.1055/a-2097-1468
Original Article

The Association of Periconception Asthma Medication Discontinuation with Adverse Obstetric Outcomes

Matthew C. H. Rohn    *
1   Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
,
Danielle R. Stevens   *
1   Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
,
William A. Grobman
3   Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
,
Rajesh Kumar
3   Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
4   Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
,
Zhen Chen
1   Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
,
Jessy Deshane
5   The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Joseph R. Biggio
5   The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
6   Ochsner Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
,
Akila Subramaniam
5   The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Katherine L. Grantz
1   Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
,
Seth Sherman
7   The Emmes Company, Rockville, Maryland
,
Pauline Mendola
1   Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
8   Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
› Author Affiliations
Funding This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (clinical site contracts HHSN275201300013C to Northwestern University, HHSN275201300014C to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Emmes Company for the Data Coordinating Center HHSN275201300026I, HHSN27500001, HHSN275000017) and the National Institutes of Health Medical Research Scholars Program Fund.
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Abstract

Objective This study aimed to investigate asthma medication reduction in the periconceptional period as it relates to asthma status and adverse outcomes in pregnancy.

Study Design In a prospective cohort study, self-reported current and past asthma medications were collected and analyzes compared measures of asthma status in women who discontinued asthma medication in the 6 months prior to enrollment (“step-down”) versus those who did not (“no change”). Evaluation of asthma was done at three study visits (one per trimester) and by daily diaries, including measures of lung function (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 and 6 s [%FEV1, %FEV6], peak expiratory flow [%PEF], forced vital capacity [%FVC], FEV1 to FVC ratio [FEV1/FVC]), lung inflammation (fractional exhaled nitric oxide [FeNO], ppb), rate of asthma symptoms (activity limitation, night symptoms, rescue inhaler use, wheeze, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, chest pain), and rate of asthma exacerbations. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were also evaluated. Adjusted regression analyses examined whether adverse outcomes differed by periconceptional asthma medication changes.

Results Of 279 participants included in analyses, 135 (48.4%) did not change asthma medication in the periconceptional period, whereas 144 (51.6%) reported a step down in medication. Those in the step-down group were more likely to have milder disease (88 [61.1%] in the step-down vs. 74 [54.8%] in the no change group), exhibited less activity limitation (rate ratio [RR]: 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47–0.98), and experienced fewer asthma attacks (RR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34–0.84) during pregnancy. The step-down group had a nonsignificant increase in overall odds of experiencing an adverse pregnancy outcome (odds ratio: 1.62, 95% CI: 0.97–2.72).

Conclusion Over half of women with asthma reduce asthma medication in the periconceptional period. Although these women typically have milder disease, a step down in medication may be associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Key Points

  • Many women reduce their asthma medication in pregnancy.

  • Reduction is more common among those with mild disease.

  • Medication reduction may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Keywords

asthma - medication - reduction - pregnancy

* The authors consider that the first two authors should be regarded as joint-First Authors.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 20 March 2022

Accepted: 19 May 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
22 May 2023

Article published online:
26 June 2023

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