Gender-related diagnostic delay in bronchiectasis
<bold>Background:</bold> Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition often underestimated by healthcare workers. Diagnostic delays are frequently described worldwide. Aim of the study is to evaluate if the diagnostic process is affected by gender differences, as well as to assess predictors of diagnostic delays. <bold>Methods:</bold> An Italian observational study carried out in seven hospitals from November 2022 to May 2023 retrospectively selected adults with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of bronchiectasis. The diagnostic delay was defined as the period between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis. A linear regression analysis was performed to assess the predictors of the diagnostic delay. <bold>Results:</bold> 232 (mean±SD age: 60±14 years; 72% female) patients were enrolled: 68.5% showed a delay >365 days. The median (IQR) diagnostic delay was 1,316 (243.5-5,697.5) days, with no gender-related differences. However, statistically significant differences of mean FVC% were found, with males showing lower levels (84.2%±24.6% VS. 96.5%±23.9%) and higher prevalence of CPAP/NIV usage (13% VS. 2%). Univariable linear regression showed that age, FVC%, and being a worker were associated to diagnostic delay. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Most Italian patients had a diagnosis delay >1 year. Although clinical and social factors were associated with a diagnostic delay, gender was not proved as a significant predictor in Italy. Future research is needed to better understand gender dynamics in bronchiectasis patients.
Authors
- Francesco Blasi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2285-9970)
- Nicola Scichilone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6400-6573)
- Carlo Vancheri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5120-9926)
- Valentina Conio
- Vincenzo Sanci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4217-4557)
- Mariangela Valentina Puci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5656-6845)
- Letizia Corinna Morlacchi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4661-6471)
- Raffaele Campisi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9305-6748)
- Claudia Crimi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9088-5214)
- Mattia Nigro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4735-823X)
- Anna Stainer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8875-2252)
- Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7931-4704)
- Carlo Chessari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0454-7500)
- Edoardo Simonetta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6145-5792)
- Andrea Gramegna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2315-5737)
- Salvatore Battaglia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2867-917X)
- Giovanni Sotgiu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1600-4474)
- Agata Alba Maria Domenica Buscemi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4742-392X)
- Fabrizio Luppi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5775-5947)
- Francesco Amati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8248-7785)
- Paola Faverio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0360-1237)
- Maria Rosaria Vulpi
- Stefano Aliberti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0090-4531)
- Weronika Michalak
- Angelo Guido Corsico
- Marianna Cicchetti
- Kseniia Sekretna
Institutions
- University of Sassari (IT)
- University of Pavia (IT)
- Foundation Center (US)
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (IT)
- University of Catania (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliera San Gerardo (IT)
- Policlinico Universitario di Catania (IT)
- Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione (IT)
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital (IT)
- University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT)
- Dnipro University of Technology (UA)
- University of Palermo (IT)
- Dnipro State Medical University (UA)
Publication Details
- Published
- 2024-09-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2024.pa3326
- Primary Topic
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00