Asthma, the sex difference.
OBJECTIVE
asthma is a common chronic disease with significant clinical impact worldwide. Sex-related disparities in asthma epidemiology and morbidity exist but debate continues regarding the mechanisms for these differences. There is a need to review the recent findings for asthma care providers and to highlight areas in need of additional research.


RESULTS
recent data illustrate striking sex-related differences in asthma epidemiology and disease expression. Studies show an increased incidence of asthma in women. Data demonstrate that asthmatic women have a poorer quality of life and increased utilization of healthcare compared to their male counterparts despite similar medical treatment and baseline pulmonary function. Research continues to explore hypotheses for these differences including the potential influences of the female sex hormones, altered perception of airflow obstruction, increased bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and medication compliance and technique. However, no single explanation has been able to fully explain the disparities.


CONCLUSIONS
women are more likely to be diagnosed with asthma and suffer greater morbidity than men. The physiologic mechanisms for these differences are not well understood. Understanding sex-related differences in asthma and providing patients with education geared toward these disparities are important in establishing effective, individualized asthma management strategies for all patients.
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Jessica A
JA
Kynyk
John G
JG
Mastronarde
Jennifer W
JW
McCallister
D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones