Menopause, lung function and obstructive lung disease outcomes: a systematic review

Background

The menopausal transition may have significant consequences for respiratory health, risk of chronic respiratory disease and management strategies.

Objective

To systematically summarise the literature regarding the impact of menopause status on respiratory health outcomes.

Methods

PubMed was searched systematically to identify population-based studies investigating the associations between menopause status and respiratory outcomes including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory symptoms and lung function.

Results

Ten publications were identified for full review. Evidence on menopause and asthma was conflicting, while studies on COPD were scarce. The findings generally support an association between menopause and clinically significant reductions in lung function in a non-obstructive pattern. However, the effects of menopause are clouded by aging, menopausal hormone therapy use, and increased risk of metabolic syndrome during this period.

Conclusions

As the global burden associated with respiratory conditions continues to rise, the need to understand the associations between menopause and respiratory health is essential to identify potentially modifiable risk factors for respiratory disease in adult women. More studies are needed to clarify the impact of menopause on obstructive lung disease.