Sex differences in asthma control, lung function and exacerbations: the ATLANTIS study.
BMJ Open Respir Res
; 11(1)2024 Jun 19.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38901877
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with a prevalence and severity that differs between male and female patients. QUESTION What are differences between male and female patients with asthma with regard to asthma control, lung function, inflammation and exacerbations?METHODS:
We performed a post hoc analysis in the ATLANTIS (Assessment of Small Airways Involvement in Asthma) study, an observational cohort study including patients with asthma from nine countries with a follow-up of 1 year during which patients were characterised with measures of large and small airway function, questionnaires, inflammation and imaging. We compared differences in baseline characteristics and longitudinal outcomes between male and female patients with asthma.RESULTS:
773 patients were enrolled; 450 (58%) of these were female. At baseline, female patients with asthma were in higher Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) steps (p=0.042), had higher Asthma Control Questionnaire 6 (F 0.83; M 0.66, p<0.001) and higher airway resistance as reflected by uncorrected impulse oscillometry outcomes (ie, R5-R20 F 0.06; M 0.04 kPa/L/s, p=0.002). Male patients with asthma had more severe airway obstruction (forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity % predicted F 91.95; M 88.33%, p<0.01) and more frequently had persistent airflow limitation (F 27%; M 39%, p<0.001). Blood neutrophils were significantly higher in female patients (p=0.014). With Cox regression analysis, female sex was an independent predictor for exacerbations.INTERPRETATION:
We demonstrate that female patients are in higher GINA steps, exhibit worse disease control, experience more exacerbations and demonstrate higher airway resistance compared with male patients. The higher exacerbation risk was independent of GINA step and blood eosinophil level. Male patients, in turn, have a higher prevalence of persistent airflow limitation and more severe airflow obstruction. These findings show sex can affect clinical phenotyping and outcomes in asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02123667.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Asma
/
Pulmón
Límite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMJ Open Respir Res
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Países Bajos
Pais de publicación:
ENGLAND
/
ESCOCIA
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GB
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GREAT BRITAIN
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INGLATERRA
/
REINO UNIDO
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SCOTLAND
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UK
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UNITED KINGDOM