Background

To date, there are no data on gender aspects evaluating outcomes of interventional pneumology. Our aim was to investigate gender differences in transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) outcomes in the diagnosis of Interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods

All consecutive TBLCs performed between 17 Nov and 21 Dec at a tertiary referral centre for ILDs and IP for ILD assessment were analysed. The indication for the procedure and the final results were determined in multidisciplinary discussions (MDD). Bronchoscopy results, complications and diagnostic yield were assessed according to the gender of the interventionalist.

Results

TBLC was performed in 406 patients (38.4% female, 67.8±11.7 years, FVC 76.8%). Among 32 interventionalists, 16 women performed 53% of interventions. The procedure time was longer for female interventionalists (28.6 vs. 26.9 min, p=0.046), they sampled more often two lung lobes (57.3 vs. 51.8% p=0.041), used more often fluoroscopy (76.7 vs. 50.3% p<0.001) and collected more samples (3.6±1.5 vs. 3.2±1.4 p=0.021) than their male counterparts. Severe bleeding was more frequently reported by female interventionalists, (25.1 vs. 11.4%, p<0.001). No differences were found with regard to pneumothoraces (14.4 vs. 8.9%). In multivariate analyses, female interventionalist's gender (OR 1.9; p=0 .014) and FVC% (OR 0.98; p=0.008) were significantly associated with diagnostic yield, whereas number of biopsies, professional experience in endoscopy, use of fluoroscopy or antiplatelet drugs were not relevant.

Conclusion

Outcomes of TBLC in ILD are better in female interventionalists, the reasons for this should be further investigated