title: Factors related with the higher percentage of hospitalizations due to asthma amongst women: the FRIAM study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The reason why there is a higher hospitalization rate due to asthma exacerbations amongst women is unclear. The objective of this study is to explore the possible causes that may explain this fact.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multi-center, prospective study including asthma patients hospitalized in the pulmonary medicine departments during a two-year period. By means of a questionnaire, the following data were collected: demographic characteristics and treatment compliance, anxiety-depression, hyperventilation and asthma control, both prior to and during the hospitalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  183 patients were included, 115 (62.84%) of whom were women. The women were older (52.4 ± 18.3/43.4 ± 18.7; P=.02), were more frequently prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (63.2%/47.1%; P=.03) and had a higher rate of hyperventilation syndrome (57.3/35.9; P=.02) and a longer mean hospital stay (7.3 ± 3.4/5.9 ± 3.6; P=.02). The percentage of smokers among the women was lower (21.2%/38.8%; p=0.01) and the FEV(1) was lower at admittance (58.2% ± 15.9/67.5% ± 17.4; P=.03). In the 40 to 60-year-old age range, an association was demonstrated between being female and the 'previous hospitalizations' variable (OR, 16.1; 95% CI, 1.6-156.7); sex and obesity were also independently associated (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.06-22).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this cohort, the rate of hospitalization for asthma was higher in women than in men. Being a woman between the ages of 40 and 60 is associated with previous hospitalizations and is a risk factor for asthma-related hospitalization. This situation could partially be explained by the hormonal changes during menopause, where polyposis and obesity are independent risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Melero Moreno
authors.forename: Antolín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Viña
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Salmones Martín
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cisneros Serrano
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jareño Esteban
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ramirez Prieto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents