Sex Differences In Chronic Respiratory Failure Patients Users Of Long-Term Oxygen Therapy

Introduction: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is an established treatment proven to improve survival for patients with chronic respiratory failure. Some studies have investigated the sex-related differences in LTOT users but to date, these differences alone have not been analyzed. Aim: To access the sex-related differences in lung function, perception of symptoms levels of anxiety and depression in LTOT users. Methods: A Retrospective study including 60 patients followed up for chronic respiratory failure requiring LTOT in pulmonology department in Charles Nicolle hospital. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. For the evaluation of the perception of the symptoms were used the Medical Research Council scale (MRC). The levels of anxiety and depression were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Result: The cohort consisted of 18 women with mean age 61.43 years and 42 men with mean age 60.05 years. There was no difference between the perception of dyspnea between the sex when evaluated by MRC. However, when the symptoms were evaluated by CAT, women presented worsening of symptoms (27.4 vs 23,5 p=0,03). There was no significant difference between the gender in airflow obstruction FEV1 44% ± 12 for women compared to 35%± 14 for men (p=0.2). Additionally, women presented higher anxiety and depression levels according to HAD score, HAD-D(depression) (p=0.02) and HAD-A (anxiety) (p=0.03). Conclusion: Our results suggest that LTOT women had more pronounced respiratory symptoms and are more susceptible for anxiety and depression according to HAD score.