The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among hospitalised women in a developing country.

BACKGROUND

The course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is different in men and women. There are limited data in Latin America regarding COPD exacerbations (ECOPD) in women. This study aims to determine the sociodemographic and clinical profile of ECOPD adjusted by gender.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analytical study of all patients hospitalised due to an ECOPD in a tertiary university hospital in Colombia between 2015 and 2019. A group comparison analysis was performed between male and female groups.

RESULTS

A total of 81 patients met the inclusion criteria (35.8% were women). The mean age was 71.49 years. Most of the patients were GOLD (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease) 3 and 4. A history of TB was present in 15% of our cohort. While the proportion of smokers was higher among men (OR 5.11; P = 0.013), exposure to wood smoke was significantly higher in women (OR 24; P < 0.001). Females were associated with a lower probability of having forced expiratory volume in 1 sec >0,87 L (OR 0.11; P = 0.013) and were associated with an increased probability of receiving inhaled corticosteroids during hospitalisation (OR 3.33; P = 0.023). No differences in terms of mortality or complications were found.

CONCLUSION

Women with COPD are underrepresented in literature. This study was able to identify some factors related to female sex among patients hospitalised for severe ECOPD.