Gender differences in the perception of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a population sample of asthma patients in four Brazilian cities

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of asthma, by gender, in a population sample of asthma patients in Brazil. METHODS: We conducted face-to-face interviews with 400 subjects (> 12 years of age) included in a national probability telephone sample of asthma patients in the Brazilian state capitals of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and Salvador. Each of those 400 subjects completed a 53-item questionnaire that addressed five asthma domains: symptoms; impact of asthma on quality of life; perception of asthma control; exacerbations; and treatment/medication. RESULTS: Of the 400 patients interviewed, 272 (68%) were female. In relation to respiratory symptoms, the proportion of women reporting extremely bothersome symptoms (cough with sputum, tightness in the chest, cough/shortness of breath/tightness in the chest during exercise, nocturnal shortness of breath, and nocturnal cough) was greater than was that of men. Daytime symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness in the chest, were more common among women than among men. Women also more often reported that their asthma interfered with normal physical exertion, social activities, sleep, and life in general. Regarding the impact of asthma on quality of life, the proportion of subjects who reported that asthma caused them to feel that they had no control over their lives and affected the way that they felt about themselves was also greater among women than among men. CONCLUSIONS: Among women, asthma tends to be more symptomatic, as well as having a more pronounced effect on activities of daily living and on quality of life.

Gender and asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome

“…The prevalence of asthma [13] and frequency of respiratory symptoms among those with asthma [14,15] are higher in women than men. Although historically males were more likely than females to develop COPD, this began to change in the middle of the twentieth century with a steady increase in COPD prevalence among women [1,16].…”

A cross sectional study of patients with poorly controlled asthma at a referral centre

“…They also found that females reported more symptoms, higher limitation of activity and poorer quality of life. 21 Hwang EK et al, found that 54.6% cases of poorly controlled asthma in elderly were females. 16 These results varied from another Canadian survey which found that men and women were equally likely to have poorly controlled asthma (56% vs 58%).…”

Caracterización de los pacientes con asma severa admitidos a una unidad de cuidado intensivo. Estudio descriptivo en un hospital de referencia

“…Las dos muertes correspondieron a mujeres. Ya se conoce bien el aumento en la frecuencia de crisis en mujeres asmáticas después de la pubertad (12), la exacerbación de los síntomas en los periodos menstruales Tabla 1. Características demográficas y antecedentes médico -farmacológicos de los eventos por exacerbaciones agudas de asma.…”