Women who have never smoked are around 50% more likely than men to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to observational research published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research. The study challenges the long-held assumption that women’s higher susceptibility to cigarette smoke alone explains this disparity, highlighting the need for further investigation into other contributing factors.
The study analyzed data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), involving 12,638 women and 10,390 men aged 40 and older. Despite lower smoking rates among women, with fewer daily cigarettes smoked and fewer years of smoking, COPD prevalence was higher in women (8%) compared to men (6.5%). Notably, among non-smokers, women were nearly twice as likely as men to develop COPD (3% vs. 1.5%).
Further analysis revealed that female gender was associated with a 47% higher risk of COPD diagnosis overall. This risk persisted regardless of smoking history: non-smoking women faced a 62% higher risk, while women who had ever smoked had a 43% higher risk compared to men.
The researchers acknowledged limitations, such as reliance on self-reported data and the absence of information on hormonal, environmental, or occupational exposures. However, they emphasized that the findings question the role of smoking susceptibility as the sole driver of COPD disparities in women.
The authors noted, “If women were more susceptible to smoking effects, we would not see a similarly increased risk among those who had never smoked.”
The study underscores the significant burden of COPD among women, urging targeted efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Future research should explore additional factors, such as biological and environmental influences, to better understand this gender disparity.
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