Objectives: Standardized exercise training is an evidence-based therapy option for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Sex differences in PAH pathophysiology and treatment response have recently been reported. The impact of sex on therapy response to exercise training is still unknown.
Methods: In this study clinical characteristics of exercise training effects including exercise capacity and hemodynamics were analysed and compared between men and women. Data was derived from studies on exercise training conducted in Heidelberg. Follow-up data was collected after 3 weeks in-house and after 12 weeks of continuation of training at home.
Results: At the start of rehabilitation (n=359), male PAH patients (n=101) were significantly older (p=0.015), had more severe symptoms (WHO functional classp<0.001) and a more enlarged right heart (right atrial and ventricular area both p<0.001) compared to female patients (n=258). The whole cohort significantlyimproved in 6-minute walking distance, peak oxygen consumption, workload, WHO functional class, NT-proBNP and right heart size after 3 weeks and 3 months of exercise training (all p<0.0001). No significant differences in therapy response between male and female patients were found.
Conclusion: While the overall beneficial effect of exercise training in PAH could be underlined, there was no evidence on differences between men and women. Further research on sex and gender differences in therapy response for patients with PAH is encouraged.
