title: Gender differences in asthma management and quality of life.
abstract: We mailed a survey to a sample of adults with persistent asthma to assess gender differences in asthma management and quality of life. Women were more likely to regularly use a peak flow meter, have a regular clinician for their asthma care, and to have a written asthma management plan. No gender differences in self-reported asthma severity were observed, and men and women ranked their knowledge and confidence in their self-management skills similarly. Women reported significantly worse health status than men, but the differences observed were small and were attenuated after adjusting for socioeconomic status, smoking, body mass index, and comorbid illness.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, OR 97227, USA. allison.naleway@kpchr.org
authors.forename: Allison L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Naleway
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Vollmer
authors.forename: E Ann
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Magid
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003120:Colorado; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D008875:Middle Aged; D009922:Oregon; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012803:Sick Role