Ischemic heart disease and primary care: identifying gender-related differences. An observational study
2008

Gender Differences in Ischemic Heart Disease Management

Sample size: 1907 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Cruz Inés, Serna Catalina, Real Jordi, Galindo Gisela, Gascó Eduardo, Galván Leonardo

Primary Institution: Primary Care Research Institute IDIAP Jordi Gol, Catalan Institute of Health, Lleida, Spain

Hypothesis

Are there gender-related differences in the management of ischemic heart disease in primary care?

Conclusion

There are no significant gender differences in screening for cardiovascular risk factors, but men are more likely to receive secondary prevention medications.

Supporting Evidence

  • Women had higher rates of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes compared to men.
  • Men were more likely to achieve control targets for cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Men received more prescriptions for secondary prevention medications than women.

Takeaway

The study looked at how men and women with heart disease are treated differently, finding that while both are screened similarly, men get more medication.

Methodology

Retrospective descriptive observational study analyzing clinical data from 1907 patients diagnosed with ischemic heart disease.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias as only patients with recorded IHD diagnoses were included.

Limitations

Data accuracy may vary due to reliance on electronic medical records, and results may not be generalizable to all patients with IHD.

Participant Demographics

The study included 1907 patients, with 1266 men and 641 women, mean age 71.5 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI for odds ratios provided in the results

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2296-9-60

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