Pulmonary arterial hypertension has a higher prevalence in women than men, yet notable sex-based differences influence disease presentation, treatment response, and outcomes. Based on data from major pulmonary arterial hypertension clinical trials the authors of a recent study published in Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease have found that:
- 78% of patients in major clinical studies are women.
- According to the REVEAL registry the most common types affecting women are pulmonary arterial hypertension related to autoimmune diseases, idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension linked to congenital heart problems.
- Women are often found to have better baseline right ventricular (RV) function and hemodynamics before treatment, as well as more favorable RV adaptation post-therapy.
- They also demonstrate a stronger response to endothelin receptor antagonists (ERA) and prostacyclins.
- These factors contribute to better survival outcomes in women compared to men.
These sex-based differences, say the authors, highlight the importance of considering gender when treating pulmonary arterial hypertension patients. Doctors may need different approaches for men and women to optimize care. More research is needed, they conclude, to develop treatment strategies tailored specifically for each sex to improve outcomes for all pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.
Read more at this link on Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease
