Gender differences in airways diseases

The worldwide clinical data show gender differences in the morbidity and mortality rates of some airway diseases, such as asthma, CF or COPD. For unknown reasons women exhibit a higher risk factor to develop and have worse clinical evolution in some inflammatory lung diseases. Understanding the reasons underlying this gender disparity renewed the researcher’s interest in this multifactorial process in which psychological, genetics and sex hormones play important key roles. This article, review the related scientific data to better understand the mechanisms behind gender disparities in some airway diseases, which could be a useful tool for earlier diagnosis, improving therapeutics interventions and better outcome in some respiratory diseases.