Lung Function in Women with Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty: A Pilot Study

Background: Studies have reported that women with early menarche (≤10 years) have lower lung function. Aim: To investigate lung function in women with a history of idio pathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) treated during childhood with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). Methods: ICPP women (n = 23) were compared with healthy age-matched controls (n = 23). Subjects were clinically evaluated by means of a questionnaire, baseline and post-β2 agonist spirometry, impulse oscillometry (a measure of airway resistance), and measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Results: Patients had lower lung function values than controls: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (median 97.90 vs. 109.45; p = 0.011), FEV1 after β2 agonist (100.80 vs. 114.10; p = 0.013), peak expiratory flow (92.90 vs. 97.95; p = 0.031), and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) (80.80 vs. 106.30; p = 0.008). FeNO was significantly lower in the patients (p < 0.001). Significant reversibility of FEV1 after β2 agonist was observed in 8.7% of the patients. FEV1/forced vital capacity and MMEF after β2 agonist correlated negatively with hysterometry at diagnosis (p = 0.009 and p = 0.03, respectively). There was a negative correlation between age at diagnosis and airway resistance. Conclusions: Women with ICPP seem to have lower lung function despite treatment with GnRHa. Further research on the effects of sex hormones on the airways should take into account potential interplay with factors affecting the start of puberty.