Sex differences in pulmonary function parameters among Indigenous Australians with and without chronic airway disease

Abstract

Background Studies assessing normative values and sex differences in pulmonary function test parameters (PFTPs) among Indigenous populations are sparse. Methods PFTPs were compared between male and female Indigenous Australian adults with and without chest radiologically proven chronic airway diseases (CADs). Results 485 adults (56% were female) with no significant difference in age, body mass index or smoking status between sexes were included. Females displayed a higher prevalence of radiology without CADs compared to males (66 vs. 52%, respectively). Among patients without CADs, after adjustment for age, stature and smoking, males displayed significantly higher absolute values of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (mean difference, 0.41L (0.21,0.62), p<0.001) and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) (mean difference 0.27L (0.07,0.47), p<0.001), with no significant difference in FEV1/FVC ratio (mean difference -0.02 (-0.06, 0.02), p = 0.174). Male and female patients with radiologically proven CADs demonstrated lower FEV1/FVC values. However, compared to females, males showed significantly greater reductions in pre- [-0.53 (-0.74, -0.32) vs. -0.29 (-0.42, -0.16), p = 0.045] and post- [-0.51 (-0.72, -0.3) vs. -0.27 (-0.39, -0.14), p = 0.049] bronchodilator FEV1. Conclusions There are significant sex differences in the PFTPs among Indigenous Australians. Recognising these differences may be of value in the accurate diagnosis, management, monitoring and prognostication of CADs in this population.

COPD disease knowledge, self-awareness and reasons for hospital presentations among a predominately Indigenous Australian cohort: a study to explore preventable hospitalisation

“…As such, it is plausible that the current study captured anywhere from 40% to 60% of current Indigenous COPD patients in the TEHS region. More recently, several aspects of respiratory health issues among Indigenous Australians from the TEHS region of the NT has been reported in the literature 19–24 28 32 35–40 52–66. Hence, this study could be considered as an important further step forward67 in addressing COPD disease awareness and knowledge in an Indigenous population.…”

“…Lung function parameters are generally observed to be lower for Indigenous population in comparison to non-Indigenous 35–40. Direct comparisons of lung function data against patient experience of COPD symptoms and the effect of symptoms on daily life activities have not been explored in the past among Indigenous Australians.…”

“…A major strength of the current study is the relatively high proportion of Indigenous Australian patients with COPD interviewed. Previous reports from our centre have identified 140–150 patients with radiologically confirmed COPD 24 39. Furthermore, hospital linkage data using ICD code identified 110 Indigenous patients presenting with COPD from July 2020 to October 2021 (as yet unpublished).…”

“…Lung function parameters are generally observed to be lower for Indigenous population in comparison to non-Indigenous. [35][36][37][38][39][40] Direct comparisons of lung function data against patient experience of COPD symptoms and the effect of symptoms on daily life activities have not been explored in the past among Indigenous Australians. In the current study, a higher proportion of Indigenous patients were observed to have more severe airflow obstruction compared with non-Indigenous patients with COPD.…”

The Prevalence of Bronchodilator Responsiveness “Asthma” Among Adult Indigenous Australians Referred for Lung Function Testing in the Top End Northern Territory of Australia

“…These data sets included Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. [28][29][30][31][32][33] Patients were referred for LFTs by primary health practitioners, respiratory specialists, and other specialist physicians, as a part of routine clinical care.…”