COPD heterogeneity: gender differences in the multidimensional BODE index.
BACKGROUND
The BODE index was recently validated as a multidimensional tool for the evaluation of patients with COPD. The influence of gender on the BODE index has not been studied.


OBJECTIVE
The contribution of each component of the disease to the BODE index may differ according to gender.


METHODS
We evaluated age, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) score, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and body mass index (BMI) in 52 men and 52 women with COPD and the same BODE index. We compared the studied parameters between men and women and then performed a multiple regression analysis by gender.


RESULTS
We found statistically significant differences between men and women in all parameters: FEV1 % (55 +/- 17 vs 63 +/- 18, p < 0.001), MMRC [1 (0-2) vs 1 (1-2) p = 0.03], BMI [28 (26-30) vs 25 (22-30), p = 0.05], and 6MWD [546 (451-592) vs 462 (419-520), p = 0.001]. Multiple regression analysis revealed that each component of the BODE index had different weight (beta standardized coefficient) in men and women respectively: FEV1% (0.74 vs 0.62), MMRC (0.31 vs 0.48), BMI (-0.09 vs -0.17), and 6MWD (0.13 vs 0.10).


CONCLUSIONS
The contribution of each component to the BODE index differs by gender in subjects with similar BODE scores. Long term longitudinal studies will help determine the significance of our findings.
de Torres
Juan P
JP
Respiratory Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Ntra Sra de Candelaria, Tenerife, Spain. jupa65@hotmail.com
Casanova
Ciro
C
de Garcini
Angela Montejo
AM
Jaime
Armando Aguirre
AA
Celli
Bartolomé R
BR
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D016138:Walking