Management Reality of Female Patients with COPD: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional CAP Study in Japan

Tasuku Yamamoto,1,2 Keiji Oishi,1 Syuichiro Ohata,1 Yoriyuki Murata,1 Yoshikazu Yamaji,1 Maki Asami-Noyama,1 Nobutaka Edakuni,1 Tomoyuki Kakugawa,3 Tsunahiko Hirano,1 Kazuto Matsunaga1 1Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan; 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization Yamaguchi-Ube Medical Center, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan; 3Department of Pulmonology and Gerontology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Yamaguchi, JapanCorrespondence: Keiji Oishi, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1-1-1 Minami-kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan, Tel +81 836 85 3123, Fax +81 836 85 3124, Email ohishk@yamaguchi-u.ac.jpBackground: Reports from Europe and North America suggest that female chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have a higher symptom burden and mortality than male patients. However, little is known about the management reality of female patients with COPD in Japan.Patients and Methods: We compared the clinical characteristics of female COPD patients with those of male using the cohort of the COPD Assessment in Practice study, which is a cross-sectional multicenter observational study.Results: Of the 1168 patients, 133 (11.4%) were female. A history of never smoking was higher in females than males (p< 0.01). Although there was no difference in age or forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) % predicted between the groups, modified medical research council dyspnea scale (mMRC) and number of frequent exacerbators were higher in females (mMRC≥ 2: p< 0.01; number of exacerbations≥ 2: p=0.011). The mean forced vital capacity and FEV1 values in females were lower than those in males (p< 0.0001 and p< 0.0001, respectively). Females were more likely to use long-term oxygen therapy and inhaled corticosteroids than males (p=0.016 and p< 0.01, respectively). ...