The study “COPD diagnosis: predictive factors according to gender” won Mónica Grafino , Hospital da Luz pulmonologist, the Scholarship of the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology (SPP) for Young Specialists 2020, granted during the 36 th national congress of specialists in the area, which took place between 12 and 14 November, this time in virtual format. The SPP Scholarship for Young Specialists , amounting to five thousand euros, instituted by SPP and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, distinguishes the best scientific research project or original work not yet published, in the scope of respiratory obstructive diseases, including asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Detection and early intervention in COPD is one of the current challenges in the approach of these patients. Considering that the expression and risk factors in the diagnosis of COPD for each gender seems to differ, the goal of Mónica Grafino research was to identify the differences between gender, concerning the ratio and predictive factors of diagnosis of this pathology . “This project is relevant, since it tries to better understand the differences between genders in the diagnosis of COPD. The awareness and the identification of the most relevant risk factors in each gender will allow, not only earlier detection, but also the implementation of targeted preventive measures”, explains Mónica Grafino. “In terms of results, we do not document a statistically significant difference concerning the diagnosis of COPD between genders. However, different factors may imply different risks in the diagnosis of COPD according to gender”, she adds. The study was conducted in the Pulmonology Service of Hospital da Luz Lisboa (Laboratory of Respiratory Function) and included patients over 40 years old with a history of smoking, that undertook respiratory function tests along four months (in the year 2019). The statistical analysis counted with the collaboration of a specialist from Universidade de Aveiro. Mónica Grafino is a pulmonologist at Hospital da Luz, in Lisbon and Oeiras.
