Characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain from a gender perspective
2009

Gender Differences in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Spain

Sample size: 10711 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Carrasco-Garrido Pilar, de Miguel-Díez Javier, Rejas-Gutierrez Javier, Martín-Centeno Antonio, Gobartt-Vázquez Elena, Hernandez-Barrera Valentin, Gil de Miguel Angel, Jimenez-Garcia Rodrigo

Primary Institution: Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Hypothesis

Are there gender-associated differences in the clinical and management characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain?

Conclusion

Women with COPD evaluated in this study were younger, smoked less, had more comorbidity, a poorer quality of life, and lesser disease severity than men with COPD.

Supporting Evidence

  • Women with COPD were found to have a higher frequency of comorbidities like hypertension and anxiety.
  • Men had a higher percentage of smoking and a greater severity of disease.
  • The total annual cost of COPD management was higher in males than in females.

Takeaway

This study found that women with COPD are generally younger and have different health issues compared to men, like more anxiety and depression, but they smoke less.

Methodology

An observational and descriptive epidemiological study that included patients with stable COPD aged 40 years and older, evaluated in primary care.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to exclusion of patients with asthma symptoms and reliance on data from primary care settings.

Limitations

The study did not use logistic regression with random effects, which may result in biased estimates.

Participant Demographics

75.6% males and 24.4% females, mean age 67.1 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2466-9-2

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication