1 research outputs found
Do females behave differently in COPD exacerbation?
Introduction: Little is known about whether there is any sex effect on
chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) exacerbations. This study is
intended to describe the possible sex-associated differences in
exacerbation profile in COPD patients.
Methods: A total of 384 COPD patients who were hospitalized due to
exacerbation were evaluated retrospectively for their demographics and
previous and current exacerbation characteristics.
Results: The study was conducted on 109 (28\%) female patients and 275
(72\%) male patients. The mean age was 68.30 +/- 10.46 years. Although
females had better forced expiratory volume in 1 second and near-normal
forced vital capacity, they had much impaired arterial blood gas levels
(partial oxygen pressure {[}PO2] was 36.28 mmHg vs 57.93 mmHg; partial
carbon dioxide pressure {[}PCO2] was 45.97 mmHg vs 42.49 mmHg; P=0.001),
indicating severe exacerbation with respiratory failure. More females
had two exacerbations and two hospitalizations, while more men had one
exacerbation and one hospitalization. Low adherence to treatment and
pulmonary embolism were more frequent in females. Females had longer
time from the onset of symptoms till the admission and longer
hospitalization duration than males. Comorbidities were less in number
and different in women (P<0.05). Women were undertreated and using more
oral corticosteroids.
Conclusion: Current data showed that female COPD patients might be more
prone to have severe exacerbations, a higher number of hospitalizations,
and prolonged length of stay for hospitalization. They have a different
comorbidity profile and might be undertreated for COPD