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. 2018 Jul-Aug;44(4):273-278.
doi: 10.1590/S1806-37562017000000216. Epub 2018 Jun 25.

Asthma control, lung function, nutritional status, and health-related quality of life: differences between adult males and females with asthma

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Gabriele Carra Forte  1 , Maria Luiza Hennemann  2 , Paulo de Tarso Roth Dalcin  1   3
Affiliations

Asthma control, lung function, nutritional status, and health-related quality of life: differences between adult males and females with asthma

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Gabriele Carra Forte et al. J Bras Pneumol. 2018 Jul-Aug.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To evaluate health-related quality of life in asthma patients treated at a referral center in southern Brazil, identifying differences between male and female patients, as well as to evaluate differences between the males and females in terms of asthma control, lung function, and nutritional status.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving patients ≥ 18 years of age treated at an asthma outpatient clinic. We evaluated clinical parameters, lung function, nutritional status, and quality of life.

Results: A total of 198 patients completed the study. The mean age was 56.2 ± 14.8 years, and 81.8% were female. The proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma was higher among females than among males (63.0% vs. 44.4%; p = 0.041). The body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat were higher in females than in males (30.2 ± 5.8 kg/m2 vs. 26.9 ± 4.5 kg/m2 and 37.4 ± 6.4% vs. 26.5 ± 7.4%; p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Quality of life was lower in females than in males in the following domains: symptoms (3.8 ± 1.5 vs. 4.6 ± 1.7; p = 0.006); activity limitation (3.6 ± 1.3 vs. 4.4 ± 1.5; p = 0.001); emotional function (3.6 ± 1.9 vs. 4.5 ± 1.7; p = 0.014); and environmental stimuli (3.2 ± 1.6 vs. 4.3 ± 1.9; p = 0.001).

Conclusions: Male asthma patients appear to fare better than do female asthma patients in terms of health-related quality of life, asthma control, BMI, percentage of body fat, and comorbidities.

Objetivo:: Avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em pacientes com asma tratados em um centro de referência no sul do Brasil e identificar diferenças entre homens e mulheres, além de avaliar as diferenças entre os sexos no tocante ao controle da asma, função pulmonar e estado nutricional.

Métodos:: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com pacientes com idade ≥ 18 anos tratados em um ambulatório de asma. Foram avaliados parâmetros clínicos, função pulmonar, estado nutricional e qualidade de vida.

Resultados:: Cento e noventa e oito pacientes completaram o estudo. A média de idade foi de 56,2 ± 14,8 anos, e 81,8% eram do sexo feminino. A proporção de pacientes com asma não controlada foi maior entre as mulheres que entre os homens (63,0% vs. 44,4%; p = 0,041). O índice de massa corporal (IMC) e a porcentagem de gordura corporal foram maiores nas mulheres que nos homens (30,2 ± 5,8 kg/m2 vs. 26,9 ± 4,5 kg/m2 e 37,4 ± 6,4% vs. 26,5 ± 7,4%; p = 0,002 e p < 0,001, respectivamente). A qualidade de vida foi menor nas mulheres que nos homens nos seguintes domínios: sintomas (3,8 ± 1,5 vs. 4,6 ± 1,7; p = 0,006); limitação das atividades (3,6 ± 1,3 vs. 4,4 ± 1,5; p = 0,001); função emocional (3,6 ± 1,9 vs. 4,5 ± 1,7; p = 0,014); estímulos ambientais (3,2 ± 1,6 vs. 4,3 ± 1,9; p = 0,001).

Conclusões:: Homens com asma aparentemente apresentam melhores resultados que mulheres com asma no que tange à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde, controle da asma, IMC, porcentagem de gordura corporal e comorbidades.

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