Geschlechtsspezifische Aspekte bei der chronisch obstruktiven Lungenerkrankung

The number of cases of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expected to rise in the years ahead. The greatest increase in COPD cases is expected among women and in low and middle income regions. In Germany, men and women are even now equally affected by COPD. Sex-specific aspects are also important in the context of COPD. The English language differentiates between the biological sex and the social gender of the socially imprinted and individually learned sex role. Both aspects are relevant in COPD and influence the pathogenesis, the perception of the disease and the pattern of comorbidities, which can have an impact on the symptoms and prognosis of the disease. Research on sex and gender-specific differences in COPD is complex because many influencing factors must be considered and the available data sources for the investigation are often not free from implicit biases.