Gender Prevalence

Since 1987, women have had higher rates of self-reported COPD than men. Also, during 1980-1996, the trend for COPD increased for women but not for men.^15,104

Women may be more susceptible than men to the development of COPD and related lung diseases such as lung cancer.^15,69 Physically, women have smaller lungs and smaller airways. In addition, women have lower Elastic recoil when compared to men. Socially, cigarette campaigns such as “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby” have targeted women and associated smoking with independence, sophistication and beauty. As a result, women smoke more and start smoking at an earlier age than ever before.

Clinical Studies

Studies suggest that clinical that the manifestation of COPD is different for women than men.⁸⁷ Women with COPD are found to have a lower health-related quality of life score than men, more frequent Exacerbations, decreased response to exercise, increased Dyspnea, and better response to Oxygen therapy. These data suggest there may be gender differences among patients with COPD.

Special Therapeutic considerations should be made for women as well. Women with COPD of child-bearing age fall into a special category.⁶⁹ Medications such as theophylline, beta-agonists and Tetracycline should be used with extreme caution in potentially pregnant women, if used at all. Further, women are more prone to Osteoporosis than men and should take supplementary calcium and vitamin D if they are taking any form of Steroids. Research in this area is ongoing and more data is necessary to explore potential gender differences among patients with COPD in order to apply this knowledge to treatments.