Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Gattringer, L.
Sex- and gender-specific differences in asthma
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2024. pp. 80
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Böhm Eva
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory lung diseases affecting people of all ages all over the world. The disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, usually due to obstructive-reversible bronchoconstriction with bronchial hyperreactivity and a heterogeneous group of resulting symptoms. The incidence of asthma is steadily increasing worldwide. While in childhood boys are more likely to develop asthma than girls, this ratio is reversed in adulthood with fluctuating hormone levels, particularly of estrogen and progesterone, and more women than men are affected. In the fifth decade the prevalence of asthma rises again in males, when a decrease in testosterone levels can be observed. This is partly due to the influence which sex hormones have regarding asthma. In women, fluctuating hormonal levels during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause can have different effects on the course of the disease and quality of life. The symptoms are often more pronounced, and the risk of exacerbations increases due to hormonal changes. Therefore, it is important to take these aspects into account, especially in the management and treatment of asthma. However, sex and gender differences are not only due to endo- and exogenous hormones and their cycles. Asthma also is a complex interplay between genetics and the environment, but there are still several unanswered research questions in this regard.