Are computerised respiratory sounds in COPD gender dependent?

Abstract

This study explored gender differences in normal and adventitious respiratory sounds (RS) of patients with COPD. Twenty-six patients were enrolled. RS were recorded simultaneously at posterior right/left chest and airflow standardised (0.4-0.6l/s). Breathing phases were automatically detected using the airflow signals. Normal RS, crackles and wheezes were analysed with developed algorithms. The frequency of maximum intensity and the mean intensity of inspiratory normal RS were slightly higher in females than in males. During expiration, the mean intensity was lower in females, however, a significant difference was only found at posterior left (p=0.01). The mean number of crackles and wheezes seemed to be higher in male patients, although a significant difference was only observed in expiratory crackles at posterior right chest (p=0.04). Findings suggest that minor differences exist between female and male patients with COPD regarding normal and adventitious RS. However, it is still unknown if these differences are clinically relevant.