Gender differences among Swedish COPD patients: results from the ARCTIC, a real-world retrospective cohort study

Abstract

The present study aimed to generate real-world evidence regarding gender differences among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, especially as regards the diagnosis and outcomes in order to identify areas for improvement and management and optimize the associated healthcare resource allocation. ARCTIC is a large, real-world, retrospective cohort study conducted in Swedish COPD patients and a matched reference population from 52 primary care centers in 2000-2014. The incidence of COPD, prevalence of asthma and other comorbidities, risk of exacerbations, mortality rate, COPD drug prescriptions, and healthcare resource utilization were analyzed. In total, 17,479 patients with COPD were included in the study. During the study period, COPD was more frequent among women (53.8%) and women with COPD experienced more exacerbations vs. men (6.66 vs. 4.66). However, the overall mortality rate was higher in men compared with women (45% vs. 38%), but no difference for mortality due to COPD was seen between genders over the study period. Women seemed to have a greater susceptibility to asthma, fractures, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, rhinitis, depression, and anxiety, but appeared less likely to have diabetes, kidney diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, women had a greater risk of COPD-related hospitalization and were likely to receive a significantly higher number of COPD drug prescriptions compared with men. These results support the need to reduce disease burden among women with COPD and highlight the role of healthcare professionals in primary care who should consider all these parameters in order to properly diagnose and treat women with COPD.

Amerindian Ancestry Influences Genetic Susceptibility to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Indeed, it has been reported that biomass smoke-related COPD is associated with milder emphysema and DL CO reduction than tobacco-related COPD [ 48 ]. Our results are similar to recent reports of higher COPD exacerbation frequency among women [ 49 , 50 ], which may reflect the higher hyperresponsiveness prevalence reported in females [ 51 ]. Further, exposure to household biomass smoke pollutants, such as PM 2.5 and NO 2 , have been associated with increased risk of COPD exacerbations [ 52 ].…”

Gender differences in COPD management in a Sicilian general practice setting: a cohort study evaluating the impact of educational interventions

“…There is very limited information on gender differences in COPD management in a primary setting. For example, a recently published study in Sweden described comorbidities and healthcare utilisation among males and females with COPD, as well the frequency of hospitalisation, which were generally similar to the present study [25]. However, there was no information on the QOC in terms of adherence to COPD therapy, administrations of vaccinations and use of spirometry tests.…”

No gender-related bias in COPD diagnosis and treatment in Sweden: a randomised, controlled, case-based trial

“…A recent epidemiological study demonstrated that COPD is now equally prevalent among men and women in Sweden [21]. Furthermore, there has been a lot of information and focus on physicians' education regarding COPD in Sweden in recent years, and the effects of it can be observed in the results of our study.…”