EXAMINING CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD THEIR DISEASE: GENDER DIFFERENCES

Belyaeva Yulia Nikolaevna, Polidanov Maxim Andreevich, Berikhanova Kheda Gazimagometovna, Volkov Kirill Andreevich

The study of the gender aspects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the attitude of patients towards the disease is promising, as it can provide more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Therefore, the authors conducted a study to identify gender differences in the attitude of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to their disease. The study was conducted on the basis of data from a survey of patients with COPD with moderate to severe COPD, according to the GOLD classification, who are on dispensary observation in a polyclinic according to the ICD code [J44.0 – J44.9] and who visited the polyclinic for various reasons. Concomitant diseases were detected in 45% of patients, the most common combination with COPD was arterial hypertension (20%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (10%). It was revealed that there is a gender difference both in relation to one's disease and to new difficulties. Thus, about 70% of women and 40% of men with COPD faced problems of accessibility to medical care to some extent due to limited resources; more than half (65%) of women and (35%) of men had difficulties accessing necessary medicines and rehabilitation. When studying the gender difference in rehabilitation treatment, it was revealed that women are more committed to such methods as massage (82%) and physical therapy (75%), and men to electrotherapy (71%). Women are more likely (88% versus 82%) to complete a full rehabilitation course and are ready to undergo it again. Thus, the study showed that there is a gender impact on the quality of life, access to medical services, financial constraints, and the choice of rehabilitation methods and psychosocial adaptation of patients with COPD.

Keywords:chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); prevalence; emotional background; problem of accessibility of medicines and rehabilitation; psychosocial adaptation of patients; gender differences