title: Gender differences in the perception of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a population sample of asthma patients in four Brazilian cities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of asthma, by gender, in a population sample of asthma patients in Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted face-to-face interviews with 400 subjects (> 12 years of age) included in a national probability telephone sample of asthma patients in the Brazilian state capitals of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and Salvador. Each of those 400 subjects completed a 53-item questionnaire that addressed five asthma domains: symptoms; impact of asthma on quality of life; perception of asthma control; exacerbations; and treatment/medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 400 patients interviewed, 272 (68%) were female. In relation to respiratory symptoms, the proportion of women reporting extremely bothersome symptoms (cough with sputum, tightness in the chest, cough/shortness of breath/tightness in the chest during exercise, nocturnal shortness of breath, and nocturnal cough) was greater than was that of men. Daytime symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness in the chest, were more common among women than among men. Women also more often reported that their asthma interfered with normal physical exertion, social activities, sleep, and life in general. Regarding the impact of asthma on quality of life, the proportion of subjects who reported that asthma caused them to feel that they had no control over their lives and affected the way that they felt about themselves was also greater among women than among men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among women, asthma tends to be more symptomatic, as well as having a more pronounced effect on activities of daily living and on quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Laura Russo
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Zillmer
authors.affiliation: Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gazzotti
authors.affiliation: Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Oliver Augusto
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: University of Puerto Rico, School of Public Health, Reio Piedras, PR, USA. Merck, Sharp & Dohme Corp., Carolina, PR, USA; and Professor. University of Puerto Rico School of Public Health, Reio Piedras, PR, USA.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montealegre
authors.affiliation: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.affiliation: Federal University of São Paulo Paulista, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Roberto
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jardim
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D003371:Cough; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asthma/diagnosis; Asthma/prevention & control; Quality of life