Gender Differences in Coronary Artery Disease in Pakistan
Author Information
Author(s): T H Jafar, Z Qadri, N Chaturvedi
Primary Institution: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Hypothesis
Are there gender differences in the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its associated risk factors in urban Pakistan?
Conclusion
The study found that women in urban Pakistan have a higher prevalence of ECG abnormalities indicative of ischaemia compared to men, despite lower rates of definite CAD.
Supporting Evidence
- Women had more CAD risk factors than men, including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
- Definite CAD was more prevalent in men (6.1%) than in women (4.0%).
- Ischaemic ECG changes were twice as prevalent in women (29.4%) compared to men (15.6%).
- The metabolic syndrome was a strong predictor of CAD in both genders.
Takeaway
In Pakistan, more women than men show signs of heart problems on ECG, even though fewer women are diagnosed with heart disease by doctors.
Methodology
A population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted on 3143 adults aged 40 years and older from 12 randomly selected communities in Karachi, Pakistan.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to gender differences in healthcare seeking behavior and diagnostic preferences.
Limitations
The study did not directly measure atherosclerosis or infarcts, and doctor-diagnosed heart attacks were not adjudicated.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adults aged 40 years and older, with a mean age of 51.6 years, including 1503 men and 1640 women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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