The Perception of Physicians on Gender-Specific Differences in the Diagnosis of COPD: Results from a Questionnaire-Based Survey

Chantal Raherison-Semjen; Karen Mezzi; Konstantinos Kostikas; Alexander J Mackay; Dave Singh

doi:10.2147/COPD.S271505

The Perception of Physicians on Gender-Specific Differences in the Diagnosis of COPD: Results from a Questionnaire-Based Survey

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2021 Apr 1:16:901-907. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S271505. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Chantal Raherison-Semjen¹, Karen Mezzi², Konstantinos Kostikas², Alexander J Mackay³, Dave Singh⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Respiratory Diseases, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
² Global Medical Affairs Department, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland.
³ Airways Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
⁴ Medicines Evaluation Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundations Trust, Manchester, UK.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the perception of physicians on gender-specific differences in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using a qualitative and anonymous questionnaire-based survey.

Methods: The survey was conducted amongst respiratory physicians attending a standalone educational conference (29-30 September 2017) using the SpotMe^® App. The 20-item standardized closed questionnaire had pre-coded responses to questions on physician's profile, and perception of COPD diagnosis and existing comorbidities between genders. All the responses were recorded anonymously.

Results: Of 368 physicians who downloaded the SpotMe^® App and had access to the survey, 132 (35.9%) completed the survey. Respondents were predominantly hospital-based (57.3%), aged 30-49 years (54.2%), male (56.5%), and from large cities (59.5%). 68.7% of physicians perceived the prevalence of COPD to be higher in men; over 50% of physicians perceived that women were more prone to the effects of smoking. More than 60% of physicians agreed that women experience more severe symptoms (anxiety and depression) and have reduced quality of life than men. Over 50% of physicians agreed that misdiagnosis/underdiagnosis of COPD in women was an important factor for gender-differences.

Conclusion: Results from this survey indicate that the understanding of COPD burden in women varies among healthcare professionals.

Keywords: COPD; comorbidity; gender bias; gender difference; physician perception.

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Male
Perception
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / diagnosis
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / epidemiology
Pulmonologists
Quality of Life
Smoking* / adverse effects
Smoking* / epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

The study was sponsored by Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland.