Abstract
Aims
The aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date overview of gender differences or similarities in risk factor control and medical management in the Belgian CHD population.
Methods
All analyses are based on the ESC EORP EUROASPIRE IV and EUROASPIRE V (European Survey Of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention And Diabetes) surveys. Patients between 18 and 80 years old, hospitalised for a first or recurrent coronary event, were included in the survey.
Results
Data were available for 10,519 patients, of which 23.9% were women. Women had a worse risk factor profile compared to men. Women were more physical inactive (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.19–1.44), had a higher prevalence of obesity (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.25–1.50) and had a worse LDL-C control (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.36–1.70). Moreover, women were less likely to use ACE-I/ARBs (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76–0.94) and statins (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.70–0.90). In addition, little gender differences were found in patients’ risk factor awareness, except on cholesterol awareness. Women were more aware about their total cholesterol levels (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.21–1.56).
Conclusion
Despite little to no gender differences in the management of CHD patients, women still have a worse risk factor profile, both in Belgian and in other European high-income countries.
Acknowledgements
Registry Executive Committee and Steering Committee of the EURObservational Research Programme (EORP). Data collection was conducted by the EORP department from the ESC by Emanuela Fiorucci as Project Officer, Viviane Missiamenou and Florian Larras as Data Manager. All investigators are listed in the Supplemental Appendix 1. The EUROASPIRE Study Group is grateful to the administrative staff, physicians, nurses and other personnel in the hospitals in which the survey was carried out and to all patients who participated in the surveys.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).