Blais L, et al. – This study compared exposure to a long–acting beta–agonist (LABA) in addition to an inhaled corticosteroid with nonexposure to LABAs in pregnant women with asthma, in order to figure out whether exposure to a LABA in addition to an inhaled corticosteroid increased the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) or preeclampsia/eclampsia. In terms of the risks of HDP and preeclampsia/eclampsia, LABA was safe for the treatment of asthma in pregnancy.

Methods

• Experts reconstructed a cohort of 8,936 pregnancies in women with asthma who delivered between 1998 and 2010 using Quebec (Canada) health administrative databases.
• Statistical analyses had been performed by using Cox proportional hazard regression models, adjusted for potential confounders.
• LABA use (yes/no) measured on the first day of the 20th week of pregnancy, was the primary exposure.
• Based on recorded diagnoses and on prescriptions of antihypertensive drugs filled on or after the first day of week 20 of gestation, HDP were identified.

Results

• 567 (6.3%) cases of HDP and 256 (2.9%) cases of preeclampsia/eclampsia were identified in the cohort.
• In addition, similar rates of both disorders were observed in women exposed or not exposed to LABAs.
• No association was observed between LABA use and increased risks of HDP (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.69-1.33) or preeclampsia/eclampsia (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.53-1.50).