Zhao M, et al. - This study investigated possible gender differences in risk factor management of patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD) and examined demographic disparities of any potential sex differences. In general, in women versus men, a worse risk factor management for the secondary prevention of CHD was reported. Additionally, data indicated that the magnitude and direction of the sex differences varied by region.

Methods

• Researchers recruited patients with CHD from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East between 2012-2013.
• Adherence to guideline-recommended treatment and lifestyle targets was assessed and summarised as a Cardiovascular Health Index Score (CHIS).
• They used age-adjusted regression models to estimate odds ratios for women versus men in risk factor management.

Results

• This study included a total of 10 112 patients (29% women).
• Researchers found that women versus men were less likely to achieve targets for total cholesterol (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.59), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.64), and glucose (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.87), or to be physically active (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.81) or non-obese (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.90).
• Compared with men, women had better control of blood pressure (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.44) and were more likely to be a non-smoker (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.67 to 2.22).
• Findings demonstrated that women were less likely than men to achieve all treatment targets (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.93) or obtain an adequate CHIS (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.91), but no significant differences were found for all lifestyle targets (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.02).
• Compared with Asia and the Middle East, sex disparities in reaching treatment targets were smaller in Europe.
• Data reported that women in Asia were more likely than men to reach lifestyle targets, with opposing results in Europe and the Middle East.