Poster Presentation Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Annual Scientific Conference 2026

Exploring the Impact of Sex Hormones on Asthma Outcomes (#135)

Blair Westbury 1 2 , Tamara Blickisdorf 1 2 , Evan J Williams 1 2 , Alexandra C Brown 1 2 , Lisa G Wood 1 2 , Bronwyn S Berthon 1 2 , Lily M Williams 1 2 , Jay C Horvat 1 2 , Katie Wynne 3 4 , John D Brannan 1 4 , Olivia R Carroll 1 2 4 , Chris L Grainge 4 5 , Peter A Wark 6 7 , Hayley A Scott 1 2
  1. Immune Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
  2. School of Biomedical Science and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
  3. Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
  4. School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
  5. Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine,,,, Australia., John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
  6. Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  7. Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia

Asthma affects 1 in 5 Australian females and costs the healthcare system >$1.3b annually.1,2 Research indicates that older females living with obesity are a population of significant risk for developing asthma and having worsened asthma outcomes.3-5 Post-puberty, there is a shift from asthma being a male-dominated to a female-dominated condition, with different stages of the menstrual cycle coinciding with asthma outcomes.6 The combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP), which removes hormonal fluctuations, has been suggested to alter glucose metabolism and asthma outcomes.7 Obesity and dysregulated metabolism are also associated with worsened asthma. Given the significant sex hormone fluctuations that coincide with puberty, the menstrual cycle and menopause, sex hormones may be a contributing factor to the disproportionate impact of asthma in females.8 We hypothesise that female sex hormones influence asthma control and severity in females living with asthma and obesity, and that this is due to hormonally-induced alterations in glucose metabolism, which influences inflammation. Pre-menopausal females not using any hormonal contraception (BMI<30kg/m2 n=25, BMI≥30kg/m2 n=25) will be recruited to a longitudinal study with visits during the estrogen peak, progesterone peak and when both hormones are low. As part of a cross-sectional study, data from the longitudinal study will be compared with pre-menopausal females using the OCP (BMI<30kg/m2 n=25, BMI≥30kg/m2 n=25), and post-menopausal females not using any hormonal preparations (BMI<30kg/m2 n=25, BMI≥30kg/m2 n=25). Participants will complete lung function assessments, questionnaires and a total body composition and bone density scan. Whole blood will be collected, metabolic parameters will be quantified, and immune cells will be isolated and treated with stimuli relevant to asthma exacerbations and metabolic inhibitors. The findings of this study will establish how sex hormones, the menstrual cycle, menopause and obesity affect glucose metabolism in females with asthma, and how this influences asthma outcomes and inflammation.

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