Gender Differences in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Symptom Clusters

Abstract

Purpose: Previous research has indicated that female and male patients may experience different levels of symptoms. However, no studies of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have compared the number and types of symptom clusters identified in male and female patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in symptom clusters among COPD patients. Patients and Methods: A total of 371 eligible patients were enrolled in the study. We assessed nine COPD symptoms, namely, dyspnea, cough, sputum, chest tightness, sleep quality, fatigue, frailty, anxiety, and depression. Exploratory factor analyses were used to explore the underlying clusters of the COPD symptoms. Results: Underlying the nine symptoms, female patients had 2 clusters, and male patients had 3 clusters. Specifically, the three general symptoms poor sleep, fatigue, and frailty loaded on the same symptom cluster with anxiety and depression in female patients, while the same 3 general symptoms loaded on the same symptom cluster with chest tightness and dyspnea in male patients. Moreover, cough and sputum not only were more common in male patients but also loaded together on a separate symptom cluster. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that in order to improve fatigue, frailty, and poor sleep quality, symptom management strategies should more closely address anxiety and depression in female patients as well as chest tightness and dyspnea in male patients. Smoking cessation is particularly important in male COPD patients because they account for a much higher proportion of smokers and are more likely to have cough and sputum. These findings signify the importance of identifying and implementing gender-tailored symptom management strategies to relieve symptom burden in COPD patients to enhance their quality of life.

The long-term sequelae of COVID-19: an international consensus on research priorities for patients with pre-existing and new-onset airways disease

“… 10 Studies in the non-COVID-19 literature indicate that the prevalence of many of these symptoms—eg, anxiety, fatigue, and cognitive impairment—is increased in people with airways disease ( panel 1 ). 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 However, whether these symptoms are more common or more severe in patients with pre-existing airways disease after acute COVID-19 illness is uncertain. Similarly, the underlying mechanisms of these chronic health sequelae of COVID-19, particularly in relation to pre-existing and newly developed airways disease, are unkown.…”

“…Examples are listed below. Associated with airways disease Fatigue 16 Breathlessness 6 , 7 , 17 Mental health issues (eg, anxiety, depression) 16 , 18 Cognitive impairment 19 Increased rate of venous thromboembolism 20 Not associated with airways disease Autonomic dysfunction symptoms (eg, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) 21 , 22 …”

“… Fatigue 16 Breathlessness 6 , 7 , 17 Mental health issues (eg, anxiety, depression) 16 , 18 Cognitive impairment 19 Increased rate of venous thromboembolism 20 …”

Gender differences in pulmonary function, physical activity, and quality of life of patients with COPD based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 to 2019 from the Perspective of Pulmonary Rehabilitation

“…[23] In the case of men with COPD, quitting smoking is even more important, because they still have a higher rate of smoking than women, causing increased cough and sputum production. [24] Pulmonary rehabilitation requires physical therapy to improve pulmonary function, and a multidisciplinary approach; therefore, it is necessary to understand the effects of smoking cessation and gender. Pulmonary function can be affected by the size of the lungs and the body's muscle mass.…”

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Budesonide/Formoterol and Fluticasone/Salmeterol for Stable Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

“…20 These findings signify the importance of identifying and implementing gender-tailored Group symptom management strategies to relieve symptom burden in COPD patients to enhance their quality of life. 21 Age was often listed as a risk factor for COPD, but it was not clear whether healthy aging affects COPD or whether age reflects the cumulative amount of exposure over a lifetime. Patients with COPD at an early age or who had a strong relative history of COPD should be screened for risk for AAT deficiency, and if AAT concentrations are low, genetic (DNA)…”