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. 2022 Jun 26;11(13):3680.
doi: 10.3390/jcm11133680.

Differences in Pulmonary and Extra-Pulmonary Traits between Women and Men with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Sara Souto-Miranda  1   2   3 , Alex J van 't Hul  4 , Anouk W Vaes  1 , Jeanine C Antons  4 , Remco S Djamin  5 , Daisy J A Janssen  1   6 , Frits M E Franssen  1   3 , Alda Marques  2 , Martijn A Spruit  1   3
Affiliations

Differences in Pulmonary and Extra-Pulmonary Traits between Women and Men with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Sara Souto-Miranda et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests sex-related differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Whether these differences are reflected in the prevalence of treatable traits remains unknown. Methods: Two samples of patients referred to secondary (n = 530) or tertiary care (n = 2012) were analyzed. Men and women were matched for age, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and body mass index. Sex-related differences were tested using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, or chi-square tests. Results: Frequent exacerbations (30.5 vs. 19.7%), high cardiovascular risk (88.1 vs. 66.2%) and activity-related severe dyspnea (50.9 vs. 34.8%) were more prevalent in women in secondary care (p < 0.05). Severe hyperinflation (43.0 vs. 25.4%), limited diffusing capacity (79.6 vs. 70.1%), impaired mobility (44.0 vs. 28.7%), frequent exacerbations (66.8 vs. 57.4%), frequent hospitalizations (47.5 vs. 41.6%), severe activity-related dyspnea (89.1 vs. 85.0%), symptoms of anxiety (56.3 vs. 42.0%) and depression (50.3 vs. 44.8%), and poor health status (79.9 vs. 71.0%) were more prevalent in women in tertiary care (p < 0.05). Severe inspiratory muscle weakness (14.6 vs. 8.2%) and impaired exercise capacity (69.1 vs. 59.6%) were more prevalent among men (p < 0.05) in tertiary care. Conclusions: Sex-related differences were found, with most traits more prevalent and severe among women. Care providers should be aware of these differences to adjust treatment.

Keywords: COPD; gender; sex-related differences; treatable traits.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of study for both samples.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prevalence of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary traits (according to the cut-offs of Table 1) that are different between women and men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) referred to (a) secondary care (n = 530) or (b) tertiary care (n = 2012); (p < 0.05). Blue represents men and green represents women. Bold represents where (gender) the trait is more prevalent. There were 11 and 15 treatable traits assessed in secondary and tertiary care, respectively.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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