Do clinically meaningful improvements following pulmonary rehabilitation differ by gender?

Chronic respiratory diseases, in particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are a leading cause of death and disability globally. Historically a condition that predominantly affected men, the increasing symptom, health and social burden of COPD in women is now recognised. There is now emerging evidence of gender differences in terms of diagnosis, physiology, presentation and response to treatment in people with COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a core component of the non-pharmacological management of COPD. A program of exercise and education, pulmonary rehabilitation effectively improves symptoms and function and reduces healthcare utilisation. However, the extent to which the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation may differ by gender are not clear. This project will make use of existing clinical outcome data to describe any differences in response to pulmonary rehabilitation, by gender, which may be apparent.