PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Zarqa Ali AU - Camilla Boslev Christensen AU - Thorbjørn Lomholt Gregersen AU - Charlotte Suppli Ulrik TI - Incidence and risk factors for acute exacerbations of asthma during pregnancy: A prospective observational study of 500 pregnancies DP - 2013 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 1805 VI - 42 IP - Suppl 57 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/1805.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/1805.full SO - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42 AB - Background and Aim: Acute exacerbations of asthma during pregnancy have unfavourable impact on pregnancy outcome. We investigated incidence and risk factors for acute exacerbations during pregnancy. Methods: Prospective observational design. Primary outcome was acute exacerbations of asthma during pregnancy. Case history was obtained, including exacerbation history, and patients had their asthma control, spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide assessed during regular visits. Results: A total of 500 pregnant women with asthma (defined according to GINA-guidelines) aged 17 to 44 years were included. At first visit (week 12-16 of pregnancy), spirometry revealed mean FEV1 90.6%pred (range 43-128) and FEV1/FVC 0.82 (range 51-98); and mean FENO 21.5 ppb (range 3-207). A total of 185 (37%) patients had at least one acute exacerbation of asthma during pregnancy; the incidence of acute exacerbations was highest in the 1. trimester of pregnancy (21.4%) compared with 13.0% and 7.2%, respectively, in 2. and 3. trimester. Apart from a higher risk associated with high FENO (p=0.007) and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (p<0.001), the risk of an acute exacerbation was also found to be higher among multipara mothers (p=0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of acute exacerbation of asthma during pregnancy is high, especially in 1. trimester of pregnancy and in non-primipara mothers.